How Missionaries Shaped Nigeria’s Future History JSS 3 First Term Lesson Notes Week 11

Lesson Plan: Impacts of the Christian Missionaries in Nigeria

Subject: History
Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 11
Age: 13–14 years
Topic: Early European Contact with Nigeria
Sub-topic: Impacts of the Christian Missionaries in Nigeria
Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioral Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Explain the key impacts of Christian missionaries in Nigeria.
2. Analyze the role of missionaries in spreading the Gospel.
3. Identify the connection between missionaries and the emergence of print media in Nigeria.
4. Discuss the influence of missionaries on the rise of Nigerian elites and the introduction of the English language.
5. Understand how missionary activities shaped Nigeria’s social and cultural development.

Keywords

• Gospel
• Missionaries
• Print Media
• Elites
• English Language

Set Induction

The teacher will show a picture of CMS Grammar School, Lagos, and ask, “Can anyone guess who founded the first secondary school in Nigeria?” This will engage the students and lead them into the lesson.

Entry Behavior

Students have learned about the arrival of Christian missionaries in Nigeria and their missionary activities.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Pictures of early missionaries
• Copies of the first newspapers published in Nigeria
• Map showing mission schools across Nigeria

Building Background / Connection to Prior Knowledge

Students have previously studied the advent of Christianity in Nigeria. This lesson builds on that by focusing on the long-term impacts of missionary activities.

Embedded Core Skills

• Critical Thinking
• Communication
• Collaboration

Reference Books

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• “Christianity and Social Change in Nigeria” by J.F. Ade Ajayi
• JSS 3 History Textbook

Instructional Materials

• Charts on Nigerian elites and their connection to mission schools
• Bibles, newspapers, and hymn books

Content

A. Impact of Christian Missionaries in Nigeria

1. Spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ
   • Missionaries introduced Christianity to many regions, converting individuals to the Christian faith.
   • Churches and mission schools became centers for spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ.
2. Emergence of Print Media in Nigeria
   • Christian missionaries established the first printing press in Nigeria.
   • Publications such as “Iwe Irohin”, the first newspaper in Nigeria, were used to spread religious teachings and inform the public.
3. Production of Early Nigerian Elites
   • Mission schools educated some of the earliest Nigerian elites, including Herbert Macaulay and Ajayi Crowther.
   • These elites became key figures in Nigeria’s development and independence movements.
4. Introduction of the English Language
   • Missionaries introduced and promoted the use of English in schools, churches, and government.
   • English later became the official language of Nigeria, facilitating communication and education.
5. Promotion of Education
   • Missionaries founded the first formal schools, including CMS Grammar School, Lagos (1859).
   • Schools focused on both religious and secular subjects, laying the foundation for Nigeria’s modern education system.
6. Social Reforms
   • Missionaries campaigned against harmful cultural practices, such as the killing of twins (e.g., Mary Slessor’s work in Calabar).
   • They promoted gender equality by supporting women’s education and rights.

15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions with Options

1. The missionaries introduced the __________ to spread the teachings of Jesus Christ.
   a) Quran
   b) Gospel
   c) Torah
   d) Talmud
2. The first Nigerian newspaper, “Iwe Irohin,” was established by __________.
   a) Ajayi Crowther
   b) Mary Slessor
   c) Henry Townsend
   d) Thomas Freeman
3. The earliest Nigerian elites were educated in __________.
   a) Mission schools
   b) Military camps
   c) Traditional shrines
   d) Government institutions
4. One of the major impacts of missionaries was the introduction of __________ language.
   a) French
   b) Yoruba
   c) English
   d) Latin
5. Mary Slessor is known for stopping the killing of __________.
   a) Twins
   b) Elders
   c) Women
   d) Chiefs
6. CMS Grammar School, Lagos, was founded in __________.
   a) 1859
   b) 1920
   c) 1842
   d) 1880
7. The printing press in Nigeria was first introduced by __________.
   a) Military officers
   b) Traditional rulers
   c) Missionaries
   d) Traders
8. __________ became the official language of Nigeria due to missionary influence.
   a) Yoruba
   b) Hausa
   c) English
   d) French
9. __________ was one of the early Nigerian elites educated by missionaries.
   a) Herbert Macaulay
   b) Nnamdi Azikiwe
   c) Obafemi Awolowo
   d) Tafawa Balewa
10. Missionaries promoted education by establishing __________.
    a) Armies
    b) Schools
    c) Farms
    d) Palaces

15 FAQs with Answers

1. What was the primary mission of Christian missionaries in Nigeria?
   • To spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. Who established the first printing press in Nigeria?
   • Christian missionaries.
3. What was the name of the first Nigerian newspaper?
   • “Iwe Irohin.”
4. Which missionary stopped the killing of twins in Nigeria?
   • Mary Slessor.
5. Which school is known as the first secondary school in Nigeria?
   • CMS Grammar School, Lagos.
6. What language did missionaries introduce in Nigeria?
   • English.
7. Who translated the Bible into Yoruba?
   • Ajayi Crowther.
8. What were the first mission schools known for?
   • Educating early Nigerian elites.
9. Which missionary served in Calabar?
   • Mary Slessor.
10. How did missionaries influence Nigeria’s education system?

• By establishing mission schools.

Presentation Steps

1. Step 1: Review the previous lesson on the arrival of missionaries in Nigeria.
2. Step 2: Introduce the impacts of missionaries, highlighting their role in education, print media, and social reform.
3. Step 3: Encourage students to discuss how missionary activities shaped modern Nigeria.

Teacher’s Activities

• Display pictures of early missionaries and mission schools.
• Lead a discussion on how the introduction of English and print media affected Nigeria.

Learners’ Activities

• In groups, students will identify the contributions of key missionaries.
• Role-play scenes depicting the activities of missionaries, such as teaching or printing newspapers.

Assessment

• What was the name of the first newspaper in Nigeria?
• Who founded CMS Grammar School, Lagos?
• Mention one early Nigerian elite educated in mission schools.

10 Evaluation Questions

1. What was the primary goal of missionaries in Nigeria?
2. Who introduced the first printing press in Nigeria?
3. Name the first secondary school in Nigeria.
4. What language did missionaries promote in Nigeria?
5. Who was responsible for stopping the killing of twins?
6. What impact did missionaries have on education?
7. Name the first Nigerian newspaper.
8. Which missionary translated the Bible into Yoruba?
9. Mention one Nigerian elite educated by missionaries.
10. How did missionaries promote social reform in Nigeria?

Conclusion

The teacher will summarize the lesson, emphasizing the significant contributions of missionaries to Nigeria’s education, print media, and social development.