Abstract

<p>Historically, African societies, including Nigeria, were misrepresented by Eurocentric scholars as primitive and lacking historical value. Thinkers such as Frederick Hegel, A.P. Newton, and Hugh Trevor-Roper argued that Africa had no history of its own, asserting that historical study could only begin with written records—a stance that excluded the rich oral and material traditions of African civilizations. This prejudiced perspective led to a long-standing disinterest and underrepresentation of Nigerian history in global discourse. The major challenge facing Nigerian historiography lies in accessing reliable sources to reconstruct events in pre-literate societies. Against this backdrop, this study explores the role of interdisciplinary approaches—drawing on archaeology, anthropology, linguistics, and oral traditions—in advancing the study of Nigerian history and historiography. It argues that interdisciplinary methods offer viable solutions to the challenges of sourcing, reliability, and academic acceptance. By integrating diverse perspectives and methodologies, Nigerian history can be more accurately reconstructed, offering a nuanced understanding of the country’s past. The paper concludes that an interdisciplinary framework not only enriches Nigerian historiography but also enhances its credibility and relevance in both academic and non-academic circles.</p>