The Igbo Community Association (ICA) FCT has expressed outrage following reports that a new history textbook for junior secondary schools, titled “Living History,” allegedly excluded or distorted the history of the Igbo people.
The reaction came as social media users and community leaders flagged the textbook for omitting Igbo history while including other major ethnic groups like the Hausa, Yoruba, and Kanuri.
In a statement by its President General and Secretary General, Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe and Emmanuel Chinweoke Onah, the group described the omission as a “graceful distortion” of Nigerian history and an “aberration” that cannot be ignored.
While expressing its condemnation, the ICA FCT demand immediate action from the federal and state governments to:
Ban the Book: Withdraw the textbook from circulation and use in schools
Sanction Authors and Publisher: Take disciplinary action against authors J.M. ITSEKURE, O.O. Olajide, and T.E. TAIWO, and blacklist publisher ACCESSIBLE PUBLISHERS LTD
Prosecution: Consider prosecution for promoting divisive narratives
Confiscate Copies: Retrieve and destroy existing copies
The association further observed the omission as a deliberate attempt to erase Igbo contributions to Nigeria’s history and development, citing hatred and disgust towards Igbos and minorities.
“We urge all Nigerians to stand against divisive narratives and call for accountability from the federal government.
“We won’t tolerate attempts to erase Igbo contributions to Nigeria’s history and development,” said Engr Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe.
“This is a call to action for all Nigerians to stand against divisive narratives.”
Meanwhile, the federal government has disclaimed reports that it approved a certain History textbook for use in Nigerian secondary schools.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, the Ministry of Education said the textbook never received approval for use in schools in the country.
The statement said the book also never received approval from the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the statutory body responsible for the review, evaluation, and approval of instructional materials for the national curriculum.
“Consequently, it was not recommended by NERDC and does not appear on the officially approved list of textbooks for History by the Federal Ministry of Education,” the statement said.
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“The Ministry wishes to state clearly, firmly, and unequivocally that ‘Living History’ is not an approved textbook and has not been recommended for use in any Nigerian school by the Federal Ministry of Education.”
The education ministry also urged parents, teachers and school administrators to disregard the narratives that it approved of the book.
It also asked schools to adhere strictly to the approved instructional materials, noting that the use of unapproved instructional materials “undermines curriculum standards and may adversely affect teaching quality and learning outcomes.”
“All approved textbooks strictly comply with the national curriculum and reflect Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity, shared history, and core national values, while promoting inclusivity, balance, and unity,” the statement added.
