ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to trace the history of Western education in Nigeria, highlighting some relevant historical antecedents that have helped to shape its development at different stages. The story of the British imperial government in Nigeria started in the year 1851, when after a flat refusal by the then King Kosoko of Lagos to sign a treaty with the British for the abolition of the export of slaves from the Lagos Island he was attacked and defeated by them after some strong resistance. It should be noted that while the Christian missions confined their evangelistic and educational activities to the coastal and southern parts of the country, Islam with its Arabic influence was already firmly established in the northern part. Secondary education consists of the secondary grammar; technical and vocational; commercial; the secondary modern introduced by the government of former Western Region in 1955 and now phased out; and the teacher training colleges.
