Queens College forum calls for stronger history teaching

The importance of teaching history in schools took centre stage at an education engagement held at Queens College, Yaba, Lagos, where stakeholders, including diplomats, educationists and alumni, underscored its role in identity formation, critical thinking and nation-building.

The personalities gathered for the launch of the ASIRI Magazine/HerStory of Nigeria Project and an engagement with students of Queen’s College on the untold histories of Nigerian women on Wednesday.

Leading the charge, Deputy Head of Mission, British High Commission in Lagos, Simon Field, said history remained essential to understanding the present and shaping the future, urging a stronger emphasis on female education and empowerment.

Field said, “It is really important.

The Government of the United Kingdom is really keen to promote women, and this is an amazing opportunity for girls at Queens College to learn about history,” he said.

He noted that the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, born 100 years ago, illustrated how history shapes contemporary realities.

“History is not just about what happened a long time ago. It is about how the present was shaped and why the world looks the way it does today,” he said.

Field added that studying historical figures helps develop critical thinking and awareness of global change.

“When we study history, we develop critical thinking and learn to recognise patterns. Few lives show this as clearly as Queen Elizabeth II, whose reign witnessed decolonisation, including Nigeria’s independence, global conflicts, social revolutions and technological transformation,” he said.

He explained that Queen Elizabeth II’s long reign demonstrated how institutions adapt to change, noting that leadership was not only about political authority but also symbolism and continuity.

“Her leadership reminds us that influence does not always come from making laws. Sometimes it is about restraint and symbolism,” he added.

Chief Executive Officer of the UBA Foundation, Bola Atta, also emphasised the importance of history in education, warning that its neglect could affect future generations.

“In today’s world of instant gratification and social media, people forget yesterday very quickly. But history can never fade,” she said.

Atta, an alumna of Queens College, said education remained the strongest tool for empowerment and social mobility.

“Education is the gateway to success, the gateway out of poverty, and the gateway to staying out of poverty,” she said.

Quoting historian George Santayana, she added: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

She said history should be understood not merely as dates and events but as identity, memory and guidance for decision-making.

“Without history, you cannot progress. It is not just a collection of events; it is a compass,” she said.

Atta referenced Nigerian women such as Queen Amina of Zazzau and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti as examples of historical figures whose contributions should be better documented and taught.

She urged students to question and engage historical narratives critically.

“Do not just consume history. Challenge it, ask questions, and seek missing voices,” she said.

Also speaking, Creative Director, ASIRI Magazine/Herstory of Nigeria Project, Oludamola Adebowale, said the initiative was designed to address gaps in historical documentation, particularly women’s contributions.

“The idea is to fill the gap in Nigeria’s history, especially women’s history. Most narratives online are about men. We want to build a central repository of women’s history,” she said.

Adebowale said the project aimed to expose young girls to role models who had shaped Nigeria’s development.

“When the girl child learns about women who have paved the way, it encourages responsibility and inspiration,” she added.

She noted that Queens College had significant historical relevance and said the project would extend to at least 10 schools across Nigeria, including public and private institutions in all regions.

Other speakers, including media professional Emmanuel Ojibo, encouraged students to remain focused on their academic and life goals, while the President of the Queens College Old Girls’ Association, Temitayo Okunoren-Makindipe, highlighted the achievements of former students as inspiration for current learners.

The event also featured education stakeholders, including the Principal of Queens College, Dr Adetutu Obabore, and representatives of partner organisations.