Home » NECO Syllabus » Are you writing History in the upcoming NECO exam or do you know anyone who is? Share this with them. This NECO History syllabus aims to provide students with a comprehensive list of topics that will make up the exam questions and textbooks that will make the reading process easy and smooth.
The exam will test you:
i. knowledge of your national histories from earliest times to 2000 with emphasis on the relationship between the peoples and states;
ii. intellectual capacity and skills of historical interpretation and analysis;
iii. ability to use acquired skills in relating the past to the present;
iv. appreciation of factors that make for national unity and global understanding;
v. exposure and appreciation of the similarities and differences in the National, social and political institutions;
vi. knowledge of the main historical developments in West Africa from earliest times to 2000
The NECO History syllabus covers various periods, regions, and themes, and ensures you gain a wide perspective on global history. From ancient civilizations to contemporary events, you will learn about significant historical moments and their impacts on society.
By studying with the NECO History syllabus, you will learn about diverse cultures, political systems, and economic developments. This knowledge will further equip you with the tools needed to answer questions on historical narratives and understand the complexities of human interactions over time.
Here’s everything you need to know about the structure of The NECO History Exam, how to answer each section, and how it’s all scored. This should help you prepare and understand what to expect. This exam has two parts, both of which you’ll take in one sitting.
Paper 1
Paper 1 is a multiple-choice test with 50 questions that covers West Africa and the wider world from the earliest times to 2000. You’ll have 1 hour to answer them all, and this section is worth 40 marks in total. It’s quick, so make sure you’re familiar with the key facts and concepts in history to answer the questions efficiently.
Paper 2
Paper 2 is an essay-based exam, which gives you 2 hours to answer sets of questions on the history of specific countries. It’s a longer test, with a total of 60 marks available. This paper focuses more on the national histories of specific West African countries over the same period.
Paper 2 Structure
Paper 2 contains questions on the histories of specific countries, with three sections for each country. The sections are divided based on different periods:
Section A covers the earliest times to 1800.
Section B focuses on the 19th century.
Section C explores the 20th century, from 1900 to 2000.
There will be three questions in each section. You will need to answer four questions in total, choosing at least one question from each section. This format allows you to demonstrate your knowledge across different periods and themes.
Each answer in Paper 2 will carry a portion of the total 60 marks, so take the time to plan your answers and make sure you address all parts of the question.
With this guide, you should have a good idea of what to expect in the NECO History Exam. Good luck, and remember to review key events, practice writing essays, and sharpen your multiple-choice skills.
| HISTORY | ||
| SN | TOPICS | OBJECTIVES |
| WEST AFRICA AND THE WIDER WORLD FROM EARLIEST TIMES TO 2000 | ||
| 1 | Historiography and Historical Skills | -What is History and why do we study History? Sources of History; Historical skills (ancient and modern approaches); Prospect of ICT in historical studies. |
| 2 | Trans – Saharan Trade | -Origin, organization and the effects on the development of West African states. |
| 3 | Islam in West Africa | -Introduction, spread and effects. |
| 4 | European Contact with West Africa | -Reasons for their coming, immediate effects and West African reaction |
| 5 | Trans-Atlantic slave trade | -Origin, organization, effects and suppression. |
| 6 | Christian Missionary Activities in West Africa | -The suppression of slave trade. Christian Missionary activities and their impact on West Africa. |
| 7 | The Scramble for and Partition of West Africa | -The Industrial Revolution, Scramble for colonies, Colonial subjugation, Occupation and West African reaction. |
| 8 | Colonial Rule in West Africa | -Patterns of colonial rule, consolidation of European culture in Africa, colonial economy and the underdevelopment of Africa: colonial Africa and the two World Wars |
| 9 | Problems of independent West African States | -Nature of politics: neo-colonialism and economic underdevelopment, unequal development within states and instability, the Military in West African politics,boundary disputes and threat to West African Unity. |
| 10 | West Africa and international organizations | (i)United Nations Organization (U.N.O.)/United Nations (U.N); (ii)Organization of African Unity (O.A.U)/African Union (A.U.); (iii)Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); Etc. Membership, aims and objectives, achievements and failures. |
| SECTION A: NIGERIA FROM EARLIEST TIMES TO 1800 | ||
| 1 | Historiography and historical skills | -What is History and why we study History; sources of History; Historical skills (ancient and modern approaches); Prospect of ICT in Historical Studies.) |
| 2 | Land and peoples of Nigeria: | -Main geographical zones in Nigeria: impact of the environment on human activities e.g. hunting, fishing, farming, etc. |
| 3 | Centers of ancient civilization: | -Nok, Ife, Igbo Ukwu, Benin. |
| 4 | Centralized and non-centralized states: | (a)Centralized and non-centralized states: (i) Kanem and Borno; (ii) Hausa; (iii) Nupe; (iv) Oyo; (v) Benin; (vi) Igbo; (vii) Efik; (viii) Tiv. (b) Inter-group relations: economic activities, intermarriages, bilingualism, etc. (c) Impact of migrations; wars and politics on inter- group relations. |
| 5 | Indigenous crafts and industries; | -Pottery, salt making, iron working, gold mining, soap making, leather works, weaving, carving, bronze casting, tie and dyeing, bead making, boat building – technology; social and economic importance. |
| 6 | External Influences | (a)Contact with North Africa: trans-Saharan trade, Islam(Borno and Hausaland) and impact (b)Early European contact with coastal states; trade, Christianity and impact . |
| 7 | Nigeria and the trans-Atlantic slave trade | -Origin, organization and effects |
| SECTION B: NIGERIA IN THE 19TH CENTURY | ||
| 8 | The Sokoto Caliphate | -Establishment, administration, relations with its neighbours and impact of the Sokoto jihad on Nigeria. |
| 9 | Borno under the Shehus: | -The emergence of El-Kanemi, developments under El-Kanemi and Shehu Umar, development under the later Shehus, the fall of Borno |
| 10 | Christian Missionary Activities | -activities, impact. |
| 11 | Yorubaland in the 19th century | -Era of Ibadan dominance; increased British pressure on Yorubaland; |
| 12 | Benin in the 19th century | |
| 13 | The first phase of the British conquest of Nigeria: 1851-1900 | |
| SECTION C: NIGERIA FROM 1900 TO 2000 | ||
| 14 | The second phase of the British conquest in Nigeria 1900- 1960 | a.The early phase 1900-1914: the amalgamation of 1914 and its significance b. Later phase 1914-1960 (i) central administration; (ii) indirect rule; (iii) the colonial economy; (iv) social developments. |
| 15 | The decolonization process in Nigeria, 1922-1960 | -Origin of nationalism, nationalist movements after the Second World War, the road to and the attainment of independence. |
| 16 | Nigeria since independence | a. The First Republic, 1960-1966; b.The coups d’etat, military rule, civil war and reconstruction, 1966-1975; c. The military administration – Murtala/Obasanjo regime of 1975-1979; d. The Second Republic, 1979-1983; e. The return of military rule – Buhari/Idiagbon regime, 1983-1984 f. The Ibrahim Babangida regime, 1985-1993 g. Interim national government and Abacha regime, 1993-1998; h. Transition to fourth republic and Olusegun Obasanjo administration; i. Emerging issues up to 2000: poverty, corruption, youth unemployment, religious crisis, terrorism, etc. |
| 17 | Nigeria and the | a. United Nations Organization (U.N.O.)/United Nations (U.N); b. Commonwealth of Nations; c. Organization of Unity (O.A.U)/African Union (A.U.); d. Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); e. Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). |
| 18 | Global issues | -West Africa in Diaspora; Racism, Debt relief and International aids; Peacekeeping and socio-political interest of developed societies; World peace (armament, nuclear science); Millennium Development Goals (MDGS). |
The NECO History syllabus covers a wide range of topics, including ancient civilizations, medieval periods, modern history, and contemporary events. It also explores themes like political systems, economic developments, cultural interactions, and significant historical figures.
The NECO History exam consists of multiple-choice questions and essay questions. It is designed to assess your knowledge, understanding, and analytical skills related to historical events and processes.
You can start by studying the topics in the syllabus above, and regular practice with past exam questions. You can also engage in group study sessions and discussions that can improve understanding.
Studying history helps students understand the present by learning from past events. It fosters a sense of historical consciousness, and civic responsibility, and provides insights into cultural diversity and human interactions over time.
Past NECO History exam questions can be gotten at bookstores and markets all around you. You can also download it online.
Studying history can lead to careers in education, research, journalism, public service, law, archaeology, and museum curation. The skills acquired, such as critical thinking and analysis, are valuable in various professional fields.
