History of the Department
The Department of History and Archeology was established in 1993 as a Unit in the Department of Arts. The pioneer academic staff members were late Professor (then Dr.) C.C. Agbodike and Professor (then Dr.) Ngozi Ojiakor. Following the creation of Faculty of Arts, it became a fully-fledged Department and has its programmes fully accredited by National Universities Commission in 2005.
A major milestone in the annals of the history of the Department was the approval granted by the Senate of the University in the application of the then Head of the Department, Mrs. Ngozi Ojiakor which was made for the review of its syllabus and the modification of its nomenclature. Consequently in 2000/2001 session, the Department of History and Archaeology under the leadership of Dr. Ngozi Ojiakor became the Department of History and International Studies. A thorough review of the syllabus and foci of the Department, incorporating elements of the Social Sciences approach in the study of international affairs and analysis of historical events are the high points of this new development. It also led to an increase in number of candidates applying for admission into the Department. Ever since, the Department has continued to grow in staff strength and students intake. It has expanded the scope of its academic programmes. In the 1998/99 session, it admitted the first batch of Postgraduate students.
With regards to the total number of its turnout since inception; about 900 graduates have been produced; three of which and graduated in First Class honours in 2003/2004 and 2008/2009;2009/2010 session respectively. Its M.A. programme has also turned out about 45 graduates; while the Department has equally produced four doctoral degree holders. The Department’s Continuing Education Programme (CEP) commenced in 2001/2002 session; and till date, there are about 200 registered CEP students undergoing the six-year CEP programme of the university.
As part of its contribution to the academic growth of the Faculty of Arts in particular, the University community and global community at large, the Department’s official academic journal known as UZU: Journal of History and International Studies was first published in the 2007/2008 session, and has published additional two(2) editions. Most of the academic staff members belong to many academic professional associations such as the African Studies Association (ASA) USA; Association of American Studies, Association and the Historial society of Nigeria. The students have their own association for the promotion of the study of History and Diplomacy known as National Association of History and International Studies (NAHISS).