Overview:

Western education was introduced to Nigeria through Christian missionary activities in the mid-19th century, primarily aimed at evangelism and civilization. Missionary education became the foundation of formal schooling in Southern Nigeria.

Key Points:

  • The Portuguese introduced Christianity and basic literacy to Warri and Benin in the 15th century, but significant progress began in the 19th century.

  • Early missionaries included:

    • Church Missionary Society (CMS)

    • Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society

    • Roman Catholic Mission

    • Presbyterian Mission

Purpose of Missionary Schools:

  • Teach the 3Rs: Reading, Writing, Arithmetic

  • Enable Bible reading in local languages

  • Train interpreters, clerks, and catechists

First Notable Schools:

  • Badagry (1842) – CMS started the first successful mission school.

  • Sierra Leone returnees helped establish early schooling structures.

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