The 2026/2027 WAEC History syllabus provides a structured framework for students preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). It caters to learners across Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, integrating both regional West African history and distinct national accounts.

Spanning from antiquity to the year 2000, the syllabus addresses central themes such as pre colonial states, the trans Atlantic slave trade, colonial rule, nationalist movements, and post independence challenges.

Featuring objective and essay components, the examination assesses both factual mastery and interpretative skills, ensuring that candidates gain a profound appreciation of their historical legacy.

Aims and Objectives

  1. Knowledge of their national histories from earliest times to 2000, with emphasis on the relationship between the peoples and states.
  2. Intellectual capacity and skills in historical interpretation and analysis.
  3. Ability to use acquired skills in relating the past to the present.
  4. Appreciation of factors that make for national unity and global understanding.
  5. Exposure and appreciation of the similarities and differences in the National, social and political institutions.
  6. Knowledge of the main historical developments in West Africa from the earliest times to 2000.
  7. Ability to relate events in their country and West Africa to those of the outside world.
  8. Ability to present clear, relevant and logical arguments.

Examination Scheme

There will be two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2, which must be taken. The papers will be composite and will be taken in one sitting.

PAPER 1:

This will be a multiple choice objective test of fifty items. Candidates will be required to answer all the questions in 1 hour for 40 marks.

PAPER 2:

This will be a 2 hour essay type test containing sets of questions on the histories of member counties. Each set shall comprise three sections, Sections A, B and C.

The sections for the sets of questions for Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Liberia shall be on the following periods of their histories:

  • Section A: From the earliest times to 1800
  • Section B: 19th Century
  • Section C: 1900 to 2000

Those for Ghana will be as follows:

  • Section A: Landmarks of African history: From the earliest times to AD 1800
    Section B: Ghana and the wider world: From earliest times to AD 1900
    Section C: Ghana: AD 1900 to 1991

RELATED ARTICLE:

WAEC Syllabus 2026/2027 for All Subjects: SSCE & GCE

WAEC Syllabus for History 2026/2027

SECTIONSTOPIC
Historiography and Historical Skills

What is History, and why do we study History?

Sources of History;

Historical skills (ancient and modern approaches);

Prospect of ICT in historical studies.

Trans Saharan TradeOrigin, organization and the effects on the development of West African states.
Islam in West AfricaIntroduction, spread and effects.
European Contact with West AfricaReasons for their coming, immediate effects and West African reaction
Trans Atlantic slave tradeOrigin, organisation, effects and suppression.
Christian Missionary Activities in West Africa

The suppression of the slave trade.

Christian Missionary Activities and Their Impact on West Africa

The Scramble for and Partition of West Africa
 

The Industrial Revolution,

Scramble for colonies,

Colonial subjugation,

Occupation and West African reaction.

Colonial Rule in West Africa

Patterns of colonial rule

Consolidation of European culture in Africa

Colonial economy and the underdevelopment of Africa

Colonial Africa and the two World Wars.

Problems of Independent West African StatesNature of politics: neocolonialism and economic underdevelopment, unequal development within states and instability, the Military in West African politics, boundary disputes and threat to West African Unity.
West Africa and international organizations

United Nations Organisation (U.N.O.)/United Nations (U.N);

Organisation of African Unity (O.A.U)/African Union (A.U.);

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); Etc.

DOWNLOAD WAEC SYLLABUS FOR HISTORY 2026

Recommended Texts

  • Buah, F. K.  A History of West Africa from AD 1000, London: Macmillan Publishers Ltd, 1986.
  • Crowder, M.  West Africa: An Introduction to its History, London: Longman Group Ltd, 1977.
  • Eluwa, G. I. C. et al.  A History of Nigeria for Schools and Colleges, Onitsha: Africana First Publishers Ltd, 1988
  • Okafor, L. M. History for Senior Secondary Schools, Books 1 & 2 Nigeria, Onitsha: Jet Publishers (Nig.) Ltd, 1989
  • Okafor, L. M. et al. History for Senior Secondary Schools Book 3, Africa and the Wider World Since 1800, Onitsha: Jet Publishers (Nig.) Ltd, 1990
  • Onwubiko, K. B. C.  School Certificate History of West Africa AD 1000 to 1800 Book One, Onitsha: Africana FEP Publishers Ltd, 1982
  • Webster, J. B. and A. A. Boahen with M. Tidy. The Revolutionary Years: West Africa Since 1800, New Edition, London: Longman Group Ltd, 1980