Class: Primary 5
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 6
Average Age: 10 years
Duration: 40 minutes
Subject: History
Curriculum Theme: History
Previous Lesson: First lesson
Topic: Origin Of Christianity In Nigeria
Content/Learning Areas: The Coming of Christianity, Early Missionaries, First Christian Centers, Influence of Christianity in Nigeria
Performance Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Cognitive Domain: Explain the origin of Christianity in Nigeria.
- Affective Domain: Appreciate the role of early missionaries in spreading Christianity.
- Psychomotor Domain: Identify early Christian centers on a Nigerian map.
- Social Domain: Discuss how Christianity influenced societal development in Nigeria.
Instructional Materials
- Map of Nigeria showing missionary arrival points
- Pictures of early Christian missionaries
- Bible and hymn books
- Chalkboard and chalk
Reference Materials
- Nigerian 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum
- Abuja Educational Resource Centre Scheme of Work
- NAPPS National Unified Scheme of Work
- Relevant Textbooks
Rationale for the Lesson
Understanding how Christianity began in Nigeria helps pupils value religion’s role in shaping society and culture.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils already know about Islam in Nigeria and understand what religion means.
Lesson Content
The Coming of Christianity
Christianity first came to Nigeria in the 15th century through Portuguese explorers who visited Benin City. However, the faith became more widespread in the 19th century when British missionaries arrived and started active evangelism.
Early Missionaries
Early missionaries were people who came to Nigeria to spread Christianity. They traveled from Europe and were responsible for introducing the religion and building churches, schools, and hospitals. Some of the key groups of missionaries in Nigeria were:
- Catholic Missionaries – Among the earliest groups; they arrived in parts of southern Nigeria and focused on evangelism and education.
- Methodist Missionaries – Active especially in the western parts like Badagry and Lagos.
- Anglican Missionaries – Played a central role, especially through the Church Missionary Society (CMS). Samuel Ajayi Crowther, the first African Anglican bishop, translated the Bible into Yoruba.
- Baptist Missionaries – Contributed significantly to the spread of Christianity, especially in the southwest.
These missionaries faced many difficulties but still laid the foundation for Christianity in Nigeria.
First Christian Centers in Nigeria
The following towns were among the earliest centers where Christianity took root:
- Badagry
- Lagos
- Abeokuta
- Calabar
These towns hosted early churches and mission schools, and became key locations for Christian growth.
Influence of Christianity in Nigeria
Christianity had a big impact on Nigeria’s social and cultural development:
- Introduction of formal education and literacy through mission schools
- Establishment of hospitals and health centers
- Printing and publishing of newspapers and religious materials
- Promotion of values such as honesty, compassion, and service
Teaching Methods
Discussion, Lecture, Storytelling, Explanation, Visual Aids, Group Work
Instructional Procedures
| Content Development | Time | Teaching Skills | Teacher’s Activity | Pupils’ Activity | Learning Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1: Introduction | 5 mins | Set Induction | The teacher revises the previous lesson and asks questions about religion in Nigeria. | Pupils share their ideas and respond to questions. | Activating prior knowledge. |
| Step 2: Coming of Christianity | 7 mins | Explanation | The teacher explains how Christianity was first introduced by the Portuguese, then expanded by British missionaries. | Pupils listen and ask questions. | Understanding the origin of Christianity in Nigeria. |
| Step 3: Early Missionaries | 8 mins | Storytelling | The teacher describes the different missionary groups and key figures like Ajayi Crowther. | Pupils listen and list the missionary groups. | Identifying early missionary groups and their roles. |
| Step 4: First Christian Centers | 5 mins | Map Reading | The teacher shows the towns on a map and explains their importance. | Pupils locate towns on the map. | Knowing early centers of Christianity. |
| Step 5: Influence of Christianity | 5 mins | Discussion | The teacher discusses the contributions of Christianity to Nigerian society. | Pupils participate in the discussion and share examples. | Understanding the positive impact of Christianity. |
| Note Taking | 3 mins | Writing | The teacher provides short notes for pupils to copy. | Pupils write notes in their books. | Recording key ideas from the lesson. |
| Evaluation | 4 mins | Questioning | The teacher asks review questions to check understanding. | Pupils answer orally. | Assessing understanding of the topic. |
| Conclusion | 3 mins | Recap | The teacher summarizes and asks pupils to share what they learned. | Pupils reflect and contribute. | Reinforcing knowledge gained. |
Lesson Keywords
- Missionary – A person who spreads religion in a foreign land
- Christianity – A religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ
- Ajayi Crowther – First African Anglican bishop who translated the Bible
- Badagry – A key town where Christianity started in Nigeria
- Evangelism – The spreading of Christian teachings
Lesson Evaluation
- Who introduced Christianity to Nigeria?
- List three groups of early missionaries in Nigeria.
- Mention two early Christian centers in Nigeria.
- Who was Ajayi Crowther and what did he do?
- Give two ways Christianity has helped Nigeria develop.
Assignment/Homework
- Draw a Nigerian map and mark two Christian mission centers.
- List four groups of early missionaries that came to Nigeria.
Differentiation
- For slower learners: Repeat key points and use visuals to explain missionary groups.
- For advanced learners: Assign them to find out more about Catholic or Baptist missions.
- For different learning styles: Use maps, pictures, and storytelling to reach all learners.
Note for Teachers
Keep your explanations simple and use visuals. Encourage pupils to discuss what they’ve learned. Use storytelling to make historical figures relatable.