HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT

Academic activities commenced in the then Department of History in 1976 now the Department of History and International Studies, following the official opening of the University of Ilorin in 1975. Since then, the Department has taught and graduated history students in spite of the challenge of wavering the interest of some critical stakeholders. However, in the light of the tremendous upheavals in the global environment and dramatic changes in world affairs in recent times, history teaching and learning is regaining its rightful position in societies, particularly Nigeria, where it had suffered a setback. With the re-introduction of history into Nigerian schools’ curriculum by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, and largely because of the growing need to comprehend the prevailing issues and trends in the International system in a world that has become highly globalised, competitive and interdependent, history has become a very exciting field of study.  The Department of History and International Studies, University of Ilorin, is aware of these developments and conscious of the changing patterns and evolution of new trajectories in international politics.  It is within this context and in reflecting new waves in historical scholarship that the Department continually modifies its curriculum, employs new methodologies and approaches in the teaching and learning of history. Hence, the emergency of the under-listed courses in the Departmental programme. The Department which started with five academic staff and 30 students, continued to witness steady expansion in the number of academic staff and students till date. The Department runs undergraduate and postgraduate programmes leading to the award of the Bachelor of Arts Degree; Master of Arts Degree and the Doctor of Philosophy Degree. The incumbent Head of Department is Dr. Ibrahim AbdulGaniyu Jawondo whose areas of specialization  include Islam and society, gender, peace and conflict and development studies

Philosophy of the Department on the Programme

The philosophy of the Department for designing this programme is to widen students’ experience and develop their qualities of perception and judgement. Arousing in the students, a sense of the past, an awareness of the development of differing values, systems and societies and the inculcation of critical yet tolerant personal attitudes. To make students understand and acknowledge the reciprocal relationship of History and International Studies as a discipline with other disciplines and the importance of such influence on their experience of the subject.

Objectives

Using mainly historical methods of analysis, complemented with developed research methods of the social sciences, the programme is specifically designed to:

1. give students a thorough understanding of Nigerian history and historiography planted firmly in the context of African history and historiography.
2. educate students on historical movements of global importance from other continents to enable them acquire better knowledge of the world and thus promote world peace.
3. Make students comprehend the historical forces and developments which have shaped and are still shaping the lives of the peoples of Nigeria, Africa and the world entirely.
4. Develop a sense of commitment and capacity to consciously relate to these forces and developments in such a way that Nigerian and African unity, economic independence and prosperity can be achieved.
5. To produce students with critical and analytical minds and balanced judgement needed particularly in administrative and managerial responsibilities.
6. train and produce well-grounded graduates with advanced knowledge in History and International Studies;
7. provide intensive training for the understanding of World History from Afro perspective;
8. teach the rudiment of Diplomatic history.
9. produce graduates who can become self-employed and employment generators.
10. produce graduates who will be able to fit comfortably into a globalized society.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Students admitted through U.T.M.E. run a 4-year Degree programme while those admitted through the Direct Entry run a 3-year Degree programme.  Students are expected to register for a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 48 credits per session.  Students are at liberty to register for their elective courses from within the Faculty of Arts or other Faculties within the humanities.  

TITLE OF DEGREE:   B.A. (Hons.) (History and International Studies), M.A. (History and International Studies)

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

UTME:

(a) Five “O” Level Credits passes in GCE,SSCE,NECO, NABTEB, or its equivalent, to include History /Government/Civic Education, English Language and three other Arts or Social Science subjects.

(b) UTME Subjects: English, History or Government and any two Arts/Social Science/Science subjects.

Direct Entry:

• Two ‘A’ Level passes which must include History or Government and any other one Arts or Social Sciences subject;
• NCE with History or Government and any other one Arts, Social Sciences subject with a minimum of merit pass; and 

Diploma in Law, Public Administration, Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies from an accredited government Tertiary Institution with at least merit pass