Note for teachers using this lesson plan
This lesson introduces students to the foundational figures in Health Education in Nigeria. Teachers should prepare by familiarising themselves with the brief profiles of these pioneers and gather any available visual aids, such as pictures or short video clips, to make their contributions more tangible. By the end of the lesson, students should be able to identify and describe the significant contributions of these individuals to the development of Health Education in Nigeria.
Class: SS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 1
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Health Education
Curriculum Theme: Foundations of Health Education
Previous Lesson:
Topic: PIONEERS OF HEALTH EDUCATION IN NIGERIA
Subject Matter: Profile of pioneers of health education like: A Ademuwagun, J.A Ajala, C.O; Udoh, J. Fawole, Owie Oshodin; Folawiyo, O.C Nwana, G.B; Onuha, J.O Adeniyi, Ogundeji, etc
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify at least five pioneers of Health Education in Nigeria.
- Describe the key contributions of some notable pioneers to Health Education in Nigeria.
Affective Domain
- Appreciate the efforts of these pioneers in establishing Health Education in Nigeria.
- Recognise the importance of historical figures in shaping academic disciplines.
Social Domain
- Participate actively in discussions about the profiles of the pioneers.
Reference Materials
The following resources were used in planning this lesson:
- 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
- Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
- Health Education for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 3
- The HeadTeacher Scheme of work
Instructional Materials
The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:
- Film clips or pictures of notable health education pioneers (if available)
- Charts displaying names and contributions of pioneers
- Whiteboard and markers
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for SS 3 students as it provides a historical perspective on the development of Health Education in Nigeria. Understanding the contributions of these pioneers helps students appreciate the origins and evolution of their field of study, fostering a deeper connection to the discipline and inspiring future contributions.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Students should have a basic understanding of what Health Education entails and its importance in society.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
Pioneers of Health Education in Nigeria
Introduction to Pioneers
Pioneers of Health Education in Nigeria are individuals who played crucial roles in establishing, developing, and promoting the discipline of Health Education within the country. Their efforts led to the integration of health knowledge into the education system and public awareness campaigns.
Notable Pioneers and Their Contributions
Some of the key pioneers in Health Education in Nigeria include:
- Professor Z.A. Ademuwagun: Often regarded as a founding father of Health Education in Nigeria. He was instrumental in establishing Health Education departments in Nigerian universities and developing foundational curricula for the discipline.
- Professor J.A. Ajala: A distinguished scholar in Physical and Health Education, particularly known for his significant contributions at the University of Ibadan. He advanced both the academic and practical aspects of health education and sports science.
- Professor C.O. Udoh: A prominent figure whose work focused on curriculum development, teacher training, and research in various aspects of health promotion and disease prevention within Health Education.
- Professor J. Fawole: Made significant contributions to Health Education through teaching, research, and community engagement, often emphasizing practical approaches to health promotion and disease control.
- Professor Owie Oshodin: A renowned Professor of Health Education, particularly known for his extensive work in public health, HIV/AIDS education, and community health interventions, especially at the University of Benin.
- Professor Folawiyo: While specific initials are not provided, notable individuals with this surname have contributed to education and public health, supporting health awareness campaigns and educational initiatives in Nigeria.
- Professor O.C. Nwana: Known for his contributions to educational research and curriculum development, which significantly influenced the structure and content of Health Education programs in Nigeria.
- Professor G.B. Onuha: A key academic in Health Education, involved in training future health educators and conducting research to address public health challenges across the nation.
- Professor J.O. Adeniyi: Contributed significantly to the field of Health Education through academic leadership, research, and advocacy for health-promoting policies and practices.
- Ogundeji: Pioneers with this surname in the education sector have often supported the integration of health topics into the broader curriculum and public health discourse.
These individuals, among others, laid the groundwork for the robust Health Education system seen in Nigeria today.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Guided Practice, Group Work
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Recalling/Engaging
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to recall the importance of Health Education in their lives and in the community. The teacher then introduces the topic, “Pioneers of Health Education in Nigeria,” explaining that they will learn about the individuals who started and developed this important field.
Pupils’ Activity: Students respond to the questions about the importance of Health Education and listen attentively to the introduction of the new topic.
Learning Point: Importance of Health Education
Step 2: Identifying Pioneers
Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Listing/Identification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays a chart or writes on the board the names of some key pioneers of Health Education in Nigeria, such as Z.A. Ademuwagun, J.A. Ajala, C.O. Udoh, J. Fawole, and Owie Oshodin. The teacher pronounces each name clearly and asks students to repeat.
Pupils’ Activity: Students identify and repeat the names of the pioneers after the teacher.
Learning Point: Names of pioneers
Step 3: Discussing Contributions (Group 1)
Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Facilitating Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the profiles and contributions of Professor Z.A. Ademuwagun and Professor J.A. Ajala, using brief explanations and asking guiding questions to encourage student participation. (Integrating “Teacher leads students to discuss the profile of notable pioneers of health education in Nigeria” from Activities).
Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, contribute to the discussion, and ask questions about the contributions of Ademuwagun and Ajala.
Learning Point: Contributions of Ademuwagun and Ajala
Step 4: Discussing Contributions (Group 2)
Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explaining/Elaborating
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher continues the discussion by explaining the contributions of Professor C.O. Udoh, Professor J. Fawole, and Professor Owie Oshodin. The teacher may show any available film clips or pictures related to their work. (Integrating “Teacher leads students to discuss the profile of notable pioneers of health education in Nigeria” and “Film clips” from Instructional Resources).
Pupils’ Activity: Students listen to the explanations and observe any visual aids, contributing their thoughts on the pioneers’ impact.
Learning Point: Contributions of Udoh, Fawole, Oshodin
Step 5: Discussing Contributions (Group 3)
Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guiding Inquiry
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the remaining pioneers like Folawiyo, O.C. Nwana, G.B. Onuha, J.O. Adeniyi, and Ogundeji, providing brief overviews of their general contributions to Health Education or related fields. The teacher encourages students to ask clarifying questions.
Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and ask questions to better understand the roles of these pioneers.
Learning Point: Contributions of other pioneers
Step 6: Reinforcement and Summary
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarising
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarises the main points discussed, reiterating the importance of these pioneers in shaping Health Education in Nigeria and encouraging students to appreciate their legacy.
Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and recall the key figures and their contributions.
Learning Point: Appreciation of pioneers’ legacy
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:
- Mention three pioneers of Health Education in Nigeria.
- Briefly describe one significant contribution of Professor Z.A. Ademuwagun to Health Education.
- Who is known for his extensive work in public health and HIV/AIDS education at the University of Benin?
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Recall of pioneers and contributions
Step 8: Note-Taking
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Writing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the profiles of the pioneers into their notebooks.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.
Learning Point: Recording lesson content
Step 9: Conclusion
Time: 0 minutes
Teaching Skill: Concluding
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher reminds students of the importance of knowing the history of their subject and thanks them for their participation. The teacher then ends the lesson.
Pupils’ Activity: Students acknowledge the teacher and prepare for the next subject.
Learning Point: Lesson closure
Continuous Assessment/Further Study
Type: Homework
Instruction: Research and write a short paragraph (not more than 5 sentences) on another pioneer of Health Education in Nigeria not mentioned in class, highlighting their contribution.
- Identify one pioneer not discussed in class.
- State their full name.
- Describe their significant contribution to Health Education in Nigeria.
- Submit your findings in your Health Education notebook next class.
Lesson Keywords
- Pioneers – Individuals who are among the first to explore or settle a new country or area, or to develop a new area of knowledge or activity.
- Health Education – A profession of educating people about health.
- Contributions – The part played by a person or thing in bringing about a result or helping something to advance.
- Curriculum – The subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college.
Differentiation
For weaker learners, the teacher can provide simplified notes or a matching exercise where they match pioneers to their key contributions. Faster learners can be challenged to research more deeply into the specific challenges faced by these pioneers and how they overcame them, or to identify other unsung heroes in Health Education.
Suggested Lesson Videos
For further understanding, students can search on YouTube for: history of health education nigeria pioneers SS3
Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan
Before the lesson, ensure you have a clear understanding of each pioneer’s primary contribution to Health Education in Nigeria. Prepare any visual aids, such as pictures or brief film clips, to enhance student engagement. During the lesson, encourage an interactive discussion where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and asking questions. Guide them through the profiles, ensuring they grasp the significance of each individual’s work. For the note-taking phase, ensure students copy the Board Summary accurately. Pay attention to weaker learners during discussions and provide additional support. Challenge faster learners with extension questions or research tasks. Emphasise the historical context and the lasting impact of these pioneers on public health in Nigeria.

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