Edumania-An International Multidisciplinary Journal
Vol-01, Issue-02 (Jul-Sep 2023)
An International scholarly/ academic journal, peer-reviewed/ refereed journal, ISSN : 2960-0006
Challenges For Effective Implementation Of Junior Secondary Schools Social Studies Curriculum In Nigeria
Muhammad, Sule
Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education, Federal University Gusau, Nigeria
Received: Oct 07, 2025
Accepted: Nov 25, 2025
Published: Jan 01, 2026
Thematic Classification: Astro-tourism, Stargazing Destinations, Light Pollution Mitigation, Himalayan Tourism, Celestial Wonders, Responsible Tourism, Sustainable Development, Tourism Marketing, Planetary Preservation
Abstract
The paper examines the challenges for effective implementation of junior secondary schools’ social studies curriculum in Nigeria. The paper discussed the concept of Social Studies, aims and objectives of Social Studies curriculum, and Social Studies curriculum. The paper discussed the concept of curriculum, concept of curriculum implementation, and the challenges for effective implementation of junior secondary schools social studies curriculum in Nigeria which include; inadequate instructional resources, lack of well-trained Social Studies teachers, challenges of national integration, difficult in selecting appropriate methods of teaching, overlapping nature of social studies contents, inflexibility, poor ICT knowledge, policy changes, frequent turnover of teachers, lack of sufficient finance, among others. The concluded that, effective teaching and learning process in Social Studies is not one way process. It is a complex task which needed both parties; teachers, learners, parents, government, and educational stakeholders. The paper recommended that; school supervisors and administrators should ensure that Social Studies teachers use appropriate teaching methods and strategies to meet the demand, instructional resource should be provided, ICT knowledge should be given to Social Studies teachers, Social Studies teachers should be given opportunities to attend seminars, conferences, workshops and inservices in order to update their knowledge of subject matter, Social Studies curriculum reviewers should reconstructions of content of the curriculum to align its’ objectives with Social Studies.
Keyword: Social Studies, Curriculum, Curriculum Implementation, Challenges
Impact statement
This article identifies critical systemic bottlenecks hindering the effective delivery of the Social Studies curriculum in Nigerian junior secondary schools, including inadequate resources, undertrained staff, and poor ICT integration. It highlights that curriculum success requires a collaborative approach between teachers, parents, and government, offering actionable recommendations for policy reform, teacher training, and curriculum restructuring to improve pedagogical outcomes. For more details, visit the article on the SARI website.
About The Author
Sule MUHAMMAD was born on 21st February, 1987 in Tudun Wada Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria. Having M. Ed Social Studies Education (in view) at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, B. Ed Social Studies Education at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (2013), and Nigeria Certificate in Education (N.C.E.) Social Studies & Islamic Studies at Zamfara State College of Education Maru (2006), Graduate Diploma in Computer Studies at Usmanu Danfodiyo University consultancy services Sokoto (2009), SSCE at Sambo Secondary school Gusau (2003) and Primary Certificate at Tudun Wada model primary school Gusau (1997). I wrote some articles; conferences, book of readings, workshops and journals, and also attended some virtual courses and international forum. I am now an Assistant Lecturer, Department of Educational Foundations, Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria and also a course facilitator of B. Ed Social Studies, National Teachers Institute (NTI) Kaduna at Gusau study center.
Cite This Article
APA Style (7th Ed.): Muhammad, S. (2023). Challenges for effective implementation of junior secondary schools social studies curriculum in Nigeria. Edumania-An International Multidisciplinary Journal, 1(2), 92–107. https://doi.org/10.59231/edumania/8977
Chicago Style (17th Ed.): Muhammad, Sule. “Challenges for Effective Implementation of Junior Secondary Schools Social Studies Curriculum in Nigeria.” Edumania-An International Multidisciplinary Journal 1, no. 2 (2023): 92–107. https://doi.org/10.59231/edumania/8977
MLA Style (9th Ed.): Muhammad, Sule. “Challenges for Effective Implementation of Junior Secondary Schools Social Studies Curriculum in Nigeria.” Edumania-An International Multidisciplinary Journal, vol. 1, no. 2, 2023, pp. 92–107. International Council for Education Research and Training, https://doi.org/10.59231/edumania/8977
Statements & Declarations
Authors’ Contribution: Sule Muhammad conceptualized the research focus, synthesized literature on Social Studies curriculum delivery in Nigeria, analyzed implementation challenges, formulated policy recommendations, and authored the complete manuscript.
Peer Review: This paper underwent a formal peer-review process organized by the editorial board of ICERT to assess its academic quality, relevance to educational foundations, and theoretical contributions to curriculum implementation.
Competing Interests: The author declares no competing financial, personal, or institutional interests that could have improperly influenced the design, findings, or opinions presented in this study.
Funding: The author received no direct, third-party, or external financial sponsorship or research grants from public or commercial bodies for conducting this study or publishing this paper.
Data Availability: Data sharing is not applicable to this paper as no empirical primary datasets were collected; all analyses were conducted using existing secondary academic literature, policy documents, and curricular frameworks.
Ethical Approval: Ethical approval was not required for this non-empirical, conceptual analysis of educational curricula and pedagogical policy implementation.
License: Challenges for Effective Implementation of Junior Secondary Schools Social Studies Curriculum in Nigeria © 2023 by Sule Muhammad is published in Edumania-An International Multidisciplinary Journal by the International Council for Education Research and Training (ICERT).
References
Akpan, O. E. (2 020). Effective Implementation of Social Studies Curriculum in Schools: Matters Arising. International Journal of Educational Learning and Development, 8 (9), 40-49.
Alebiousu, A. A. (2005). Curriculum innovation: challenges for Nigerian education. In S.O. Oiaifo (eds) curriculum issues in contemporary education.
Atubi, O. F. & Dania P.O. (2020). Integration of Art Galleries into Upper Basic Social Studies: A Pedagogical Approach for Sustainable Growth and Development. Delsu Journal of Educational Research and Development (DJERD), 17 (2):290- 294.
Bennet, J. (2005). Curriculum Issues in national policy making. European early childhood education research journal, 13 (2) 5-23.
Ben-Yunus, M. (2006). Issues on curriculum. Zaria: Educational publishers Co. Ltd. International Bureau of Education (2016). Current and Critical Issues in Curriculum and Learning. UNESCO.
Catty, N. (1991). A First Book on Teaching (7th Ed.) London: Methuen Printers.
Ezegbe, B. N., Ikwumelu, S. N. & Okeke, J. (2012). Teachers and students’ perception factors associated with low interest in social studies University of Nigeria Nsukka. Nigerian journal of social studies, 15 (2), 80-97.
Federal Republic of Nigeria (2004). National Policy on Education. (Revised), Lagos: Federal government press.
Federal Republic of Nigeria (2009). National Policy on Education. (Revised), Lagos: NERDC Press Yaba.
Gele, A. M. (2012). Repositioning social studies education for sustainable democratic challenges in Nigeria: Nigerian journal of social studies 15 (2), 23-19.
Guga, A. (2008). Curriculum innovation and implementation. Zaria: Karem and Guga publishers.
Ivowi, E. (2015). An Address of Welcome on Curriculum Implementation and Rethinking Nigerian Education Forum. International journal of Curriculum, 5 (1), 1-5.
Ivowi, U. M. O., (2009). Curriculum diversification in Nigeria. Ibadan: Con. 1-16.
Mezieobi, D. I., Oyeoku, E. K., and Ezegbe, B. N. (2012). The Challenges of Social Studies Education for Effective Teacher preparation and Implementation of Universal Basic Education Programme in junior secondary schools in Nigeria. US-China International Review B 11 (2012), 947-955.
Mezieobi, A. A. (1992). Themes in social studies education in Nigeria. Owerri: white- white publishers.
Mezieobi, C. A. (2013). Social studies curriculum. Owerri: Acadapeak publishers.
Mezieobi, D. I. & Edinyang, S. D. (2013). Social studies: An introduction in S. D. Edinyang, D. I. Mezieobi & I. E. Ubi (eds) selected issues in social studies education. Calabar: Mascot’s publishers
NCSS (1992). Testing and evaluation of social studies students. American international journal of social education, 55 (5), 284-293.
NTI (2000). Social studies cycle1: Foundation of social studies. Kaduna: NTI Press.
Nwoji, Q. J. (2006). Social studies education in Nigeria and other countries. In J. Okpala and M. B. Adeyemi (eds), fundamentals of social studies for universities. Nsukka: Nsukka prize.
Nwokocha, M. K. C. (2004). Curriculum and the New English teacher. A paper presented at the Department of Curriculum and Teacher Education. Faculty of Education. Abia State University, Uturu, (Unpublished). 10-11.
Obilo, I. P. (2010). Challenges of the new government teacher of curriculum implementation. Being a paper presented at the 23rd annual conference of (CON) curriculum organization of Nigeria held at personal centre. Ebonyi state, 15-18 September, 2010.
Offorma, G. C. (2005). Curriculum implementation for functionality in Maduewesi, E. (2005). Curriculum issues in contemporary education. Benin City: DaSilva influence.
Okam, C. C. (2011). Social studies education examined as a curriculum instrument for national integration and sustainable development 21st century Nigeria, the satellite. Nigerian journal of social studies, 1 (1), 36-49.
Okam, C. C. (2012). Needed paradigm shift repositioning social studies education to meet vision 2020 challenges in Nigeria? Nigerian journal of social studies, 15 (2), 15-41.
Okam, C. C. (2019). Twenty first centaury expectation from social studies education in Nigeria. The reading teacher (A collection of curriculum papers). Keffi, Nasarawa: Arête publishers and research editors.
Okege, D.O. (2020). Contemporary social problems. Ibadan: Dare Standard Press.
Ololobou, Y. P. S. (2007). Social studies for engineering. Pankshin: Academic trust fund.
Onifade, Q. J. (2016). Social studies in Nigeria and other countries. In J. Okpala and M. B. Adeyemi (eds), Fundamental of social studies for universities. Nsukka: Nsukka prize.
Onuoha, J. c. (2009). Relevance of Nigerian philosophy on education on national values reorientation. Issues and challenges for social studies education. Journal of educational research and development, 4 (2), 156-161.
Pinset, M. A. (1999). The principles of teaching method. (6thEd.). London: Harrap Publishers.
Quartey, S. M. (1984). A Method Book for Social Studies Teachers. Lagos: Orit Egwa ltd.
Shuaibu, K. and Shuaibu, G. O. (2020). Achieving National Goals through Social Studies Education in Nigeria. International Journal of African Social Studies, 1 (1), 158-168.
Wilson, L. O. (2006). Curriculum course packets ED 721 & 726, unpublished.
