Social Studies lesson notes for Basic 1–6 & JSS1–JSS3

What students learn

By the end of JSS3, a student who has worked through these notes should be able to:

• Describe the family, types of marriage and the roles of extended family members
• Explain the meaning of culture and how Nigerian cultures are similar and different
• Outline the levels and functions of government and the idea of citizenship
• Identify the causes and effects of road accidents and give simple first aid
• Explain the dangers of drug abuse and drug trafficking and ways to prevent them
• State the causes and consequences of cultism and common crimes
• Describe human trafficking and harmful traditional practices and how to prevent them
• Suggest ways of managing and resolving social conflicts to promote peaceful living

What each class covers

Every topic is a separate lesson note, listed here in teaching order. Open any topic, or the term, to read it.

Basic 1 Social Studies 24 notes

First Term 9 notes

• Meaning of Social Studies
• Meaning of a Family
• Types of Family
• Extended Family
• Qualities of a Good Family
• Culture
• Values That Show Good Morals in Our Society
• Good Moral Values in Society II: Examples
• Values That Show Bad Morals in Our Society

Second Term 7 notes

• Reasons for Taking Substance into the Body
• Effects of Taking Substance into the Body
• Meaning of Overdose
• Overdose Effects
• How to Help People Suffering from Food or Drug Overdose
• Food
• Food Safety

Third Term 8 notes

• Risk Factors in Food
• Risk Factors in Food II
• Risk Factors in Food III
• Sources and Uses of Water
• Sources and Uses of Water II
• Sources and Uses of Water III
• Concept of Insecurity
• Concept of Security

Basic 2 Social Studies 25 notes

First Term 5 notes

• Scope of Social Studies and Meaning of Social Studies
• Foods from Different Cultural Groups
• Why We Eat Together
• The Nutrients in the Food We Eat and Their Importance to Growth
• Nutrients of Food We Eat

Second Term 9 notes

• Meaning and Importance of Greeting
• Forms of Greeting
• Meaning and the Environment
• Ways of Keeping Our Environment Clean
• Importance of Cleaning in Our Environment
• Meaning of Accidents, Causes of Accidents at Home and School
• Causes of Accidents at Home and in School
• Effects of Home and School Accidents
• How to Prevent Accidents in the School and at Home

Third Term 11 notes

• Elements of Culture
• The Importance of Culture in Nigeria
• Drugs
• Categories of Drugs Legal Drugs & Illegal Drugs
• Drug Abuse, Meaning, and Types
• Effects of Drug Abuse
• Ways of Preventing Drug Abuse
• Harmful Substances
• Ways of Preventing Intake of Harmful Substances
• Danger and Insecurity
• How to Keep Away from Danger

Basic 3 Social Studies 51 notes

First Term 20 notes

• Meaning and Types of Family
• Members of Nuclear and Extended Family
• Functions/Roles of Extended Family Members
• Meaning of Marriage
• Types of Marriage
• Marriage Practices in Nigeria
• Objects Used in Marriage
• Meaning of Drugs and Types of Drugs
• Identification of Modern Common Medicines or Drugs
• Identification of Local Herbs and Drugs
• Meaning and Types of Family
• Members of Nuclear and Extended Family
• and 8 more

Second Term 16 notes

• Meaning of Drug Abuse
• Ways of Knowing Someone Who Has Abused Drugs
• Effects of Drug Abuse
• Meaning of Illness
• Common Illnesses in the Community
• Symptoms of Common Illnesses in the Community
• Causes of Common Illness: Dysentery
• Prevention of Common Diseases
• Meaning of Drug Abuse
• Ways of Knowing Someone Who Has Abused Drugs
• Effects of Drug Abuse
• Meaning of Illness
• and 4 more

Third Term 15 notes

• Road Accident
• Causes of Road Accidents
• Effects of Road Accidents
• Solutions to Road Accidents
• Meaning of First Aid
• Objects Found in First Aid Box
• Security Agencies and Their Primary Duties
• Road Accident
• Causes of Road Accidents
• Effects of Road Accidents
• Solutions to Road Accidents
• Meaning of First Aid
• and 3 more

Basic 4 Social Studies 26 notes

First Term 8 notes

• Living in the Family
• Relationship of Some Members of the Family
• Marriage
• Marriage Problems and Solution
• Our Culture
• Our Religion and Practice
• Similarities in Aspect of Religion
• Roles Played by Families

Second Term 10 notes

• Citizenship
• The Concept of Government
• The Concept of Local Government
• Problems and Solutions of Local Government
• The Concept of State Government
• Separation of Power and Function in Government
• Why Division of Labour Is Necessary in Agricultural Industry
• Saving
• Employment
• Division of Labour

Third Term 8 notes

• Meaning of Road Accident
• Causes of Road Accidents
• Effects of Road Accidents
• Accident
• Meaning of First Aid
• Objects Found in First Aid Box
• Simple First Aid Treatment
• Security Agencies and Their Primary Duties

Basic 5 Social Studies 29 notes

First Term 9 notes

• Other People in the Family
• Unity in Cultural Diversity
• Process of Changing Culture and Difference
• Marriage Customs and Practices
• Responsible Parenthood
• Problems of Parenthood Stis/Stds/Aids
• Traditional Marriage
• Modern Marriage
• Religion and Social Belief

Second Term 10 notes

• Leadership
• Organization and Cooperation
• Resource/Preservation
• Causes of Poor Savings Practice Saving
• Resources Development
• Resources Distribution
• Employment
• Wage and Income
• Communication
• Transportation

Third Term 10 notes

• Housing
• Features of Adequate Housing
• Population
• Personal Hygiene and Physical Development
• Physical Fitness and Population
• Drug Abuse
• Prevention of Drug Abuse and Life Coping Skills
• Pollution
• Natural Disaster
• Mechanized Agriculture

Basic 6 Social Studies 50 notes

First Term 19 notes

• External Influence on Nigeria Life
• The Influence of Working Parents on Nigeria Family Cont'd
• Intermarriage
• Marital Failure
• Foreign Culture Affecting Our Values
• Religious Intolerance in Nigeria
• Labour and Trade Unions
• Wages and Income Distribution
• Employment and Unemployment
• Nigerian and Foreign-Made Goods
• External Influence on Nigerian Family Life
• The Influence of Working Parents on Nigerian Family (Continued)
• and 7 more

Second Term 18 notes

• Resources Utilization
• Labour and Force
• Transport and Communication
• Gender Discrimination
• Group Conflict and Cooperation
• International Organizations
• Peace Education
• Concepts of Drug and Drug Abuse
• Synthetic and Naturally Occurring Drugs
• Resource Utilization
• Labour Force
• Transport and Communication
• and 6 more

Third Term 13 notes

• Effects of Substance Abuse
• Mode of Drug Use and Consequences
• Sources of Drug Supply and Trafficking
• Effects of Substance Abuse
• Modes of Drug Use and Consequences
• Sources of Drug Supply and Trafficking
• Transport and Communication
• Gender Discrimination
• Group Conflicts and Cooperation
• International Organizations
• Peace Education
• Concepts of Drug and Drug Abuse
• and 1 more

JSS1 Social Studies 20 notes

First Term 9 notes

• Meaning, Scope and Nature of Social Studies
• Objectives and Importance of Social Studies
• Physical Environment
• Resources in Our Environment and Their Uses
• Environmental Problems, Causes, Effect and Solution
• Social Environment
• Influence of Man on the Environment
• Accident in the Home and School: Need for Safety
• Accident in the Home and School: Measure for Safety

Second Term 5 notes

• Socialization
• Agent of Socialization and Effect of Socialization
• Culture
• Cultural Similarities and Differences Among Nigerians
• Uniqueness of Nigerian Culture

Third Term 6 notes

• Common Social Problems and Issues in Nigeria
• Cultism
• Hiv/Aids
• Problems Associated with Contemporary Social Problems in Nigeria
• Effect and Measures of Solving Contemporary Social Problems in Nigeria
• The Need for Safety

JSS2 Social Studies 15 notes

First Term 6 notes

• General Objectives of Social Studies
• Family Bond & Living Together as One Family
• Concept & Types of Marriage
• Purpose of Marriage
• Readiness for Marriage
• Positive Group Behaviour

Second Term 4 notes

• Positive Group Behaviour
• Drug Abuse and Harmful Substances
• Consequences of Drug Abuse
• Ways of Preventing Drug Abuse

Third Term 5 notes

• Drug Trafficking:Dangers of Drug Trafficking
• How to Prevent Drug Trafficking
• Common Crimes
• Crime by Government Officials
• Emergency Management and Response to Emergency

JSS3 Social Studies 13 notes

First Term 5 notes

• Concept of Social Studies
• Extended Family Members in Child Development
• Human Trafficking
• Prevention of Human Trafficking
• Harmful Traditional Practices

Second Term 3 notes

• Promoting Peaceful Living in the Society
• Managing and Resolving Conflicts
• Social Conflicts

Third Term 5 notes

• Controlling Cultism in Our Society
• Consequences of Cultism
• Drug Trafficking
• Common Crimes and Associated Punishment
• Crimes and National Security

How we prepare our lesson notes

Each note covers one topic for one class and one term, and the notes follow teaching order. Every note has behavioural objectives, the lesson content in short sections, evaluation questions and an assignment drawn from the same note.

Notes are edited for accuracy, plain language and the right level for the class before they are published.

Every note is free to read online. A PDF or Word copy of one subject costs ₦1,000 for one term, or ₦2,000 for all three terms. If you find a mistake, tell us and we will correct it.

Recommended Social Studies textbooks

Books are grouped by class. The line under each title shows which list recommends it.

Basic 1 Social Studies textbooks 5 books

Name	Author	Publisher
Social and Citizenship StudiesFG NERDC approved list, 2026 to 2028Edition: 2026	J. A. Adeyanju et al	Learn Africa Plc
Alphabet Social and Citizenship Studies for Primary Schools 1FG NERDC approved list, 2026 to 2028Edition: 2026	TJN Umunnakwe et al	Alphabet Books Ltd
Extension Social and Citizenship Studies For Primary SchoolsFG NERDC approved list, 2026 to 2028Edition: 2026	CHIBUIKE A. A. et al	Extension Publication Limited
Social and Citizenship Studies for Primary 1FG NERDC approved list, 2026 to 2028Edition: 2026	Dr. Ukegbu, Mercy N., Prof. Ken- Mezieobi	Meybiks Nigeria Publishers
Tanus Social and Citizenship Studies for Primary SchoolsFG NERDC approved list, 2026 to 2028Edition: 2026	AJAYI ABIMBOLA	Tanus Books Limited

Basic 2 Social Studies textbooks 4 books

Name	Author	Publisher
Modular Primary Social Studies Book 3School booklist – Noble Foundation School, Ibadan (private)	Otite O. et al	Evans
Civics Education for Primary Schools Bk 3School booklist – Noble Foundation School, Ibadan (private)	Adesola Luqman et al	Rasmed
Basic Social Studies Book 2Not on an official listEdition: 2015 (Second Edition)	H. Corbin, D. M. Mohammed, J. A. Adeyanju	Learn Africa Plc
New Civic Education Book 2Not on an official list	Not stated on listing	Not stated (Learn Africa store)

Basic 3 Social Studies textbooks 4 books

Name	Author	Publisher
Modular Primary Social Studies Book 4School booklist – Noble Foundation School, Ibadan (private)	Otite O. et al	Evans
Civics Education for Primary Schools Bk 4School booklist – Noble Foundation School, Ibadan (private)	Adesola Luqman et al	Rasmed
Basic Social Studies Book 3Not on an official list	Not opened (Book 2: H. Corbin, D. M. Mohammed, J. A. Adeyanju)	Learn Africa Plc (series)
New Civic Education Book 3Not on an official list	Not stated on listing	Not stated (Learn Africa store)

Basic 4 Social Studies textbooks 5 books

Name	Author	Publisher
Social and Citizenship Studies for Primary SchoolsFG NERDC approved list, 2026 to 2028Edition: 2026	J. A. Adeyanju et al	Learn Africa Plc.
Edwaves Social and Citizenship Studies for Primary SchoolsFG NERDC approved list, 2026 to 2028Edition: 2026	Glory Bruce and Shalom Ita-Asuquo	Eduwaves Publishers Limited
Social and Citizenship Studies for Primary 4FG NERDC approved list, 2026 to 2028Edition: 2026	Dr. Ukaegbu, Mercy N., Dr Ademola. O et al.	Meybiks. Nigeria. Publishers
Tanus Social and Citizenship StudiesFG NERDC approved list, 2026 to 2028Edition: 2026	Ajayi Abimbola	Tanus Books Limited
Meybiks Social and Citizenship Studies for Primary Schools Basic 4FG NERDC approved list, 2026 to 2028Edition: 2026		MEYBIKS Nigeria Publishers Ltd.

Basic 5 Social Studies textbooks 5 books

Name	Author	Publisher
Basic Social Studies for Primary SchoolsAnambra State Govt (Ministry of Education)	E.E. Ezenwa, F.C. Anadi et al	Learn Africa
New Civic EducationAnambra State Govt (Ministry of Education)	Adeyanji J.A.	Learn Africa
Model Social StudiesAnambra State Govt (Ministry of Education)	Lynda Mmakwe	Mid-Field Publishers
Modular Primary Social Studies Book 6School booklist – Noble Foundation School, Ibadan (private)	Otite O. et al	Evans
Civics Education for Primary Schools Book 6School booklist – Noble Foundation School, Ibadan (private)	Adesola Luqman et al	Rasmed

Basic 6 Social Studies textbooks 3 books

Name	Author	Publisher
Basic Social Studies for Primary SchoolsAnambra State Govt (Ministry of Education)	E.E. Ezenwa, F.C. Anadi et al	Learn Africa
New Civic EducationAnambra State Govt (Ministry of Education)	Adeyanji J.A.	Learn Africa
Model Social StudiesAnambra State Govt (Ministry of Education)	Lynda Mmakwe	Mid-Field Publishers

JSS1 Social Studies textbooks 5 books

Name	Author	Publisher
Social and Citizenship StudiesFG NERDC approved list, 2026 to 2028Edition: 2026	J. A. Adeyanju et al.	Learn Africa
TANUS Social and Citizenship Studies for Junior Secondary SchoolsFG NERDC approved list, 2026 to 2028Edition: 2026	Ajayi Abimbola	TANUS Books Limited
Extension Social and Citizenship Studies for Junior Secondary SchoolsFG NERDC approved list, 2026 to 2028Edition: 2026	Chidubem Okonkwo et al.	Extension Publications Limited
MEYBIKS Social & Citizenship for Junior Secondary SchoolsFG NERDC approved list, 2026 to 2028Edition: 2026	Dr Ukegbu Merry N.; Prof Ken- Mezieobi et al	Meybiks Nigeria Publishers
EDUWAVE Social and Citizenship Studies 1FG NERDC approved list, 2026 to 2028Edition: 2026	Bruce et al.	EDUWAVES Publishers Ltd.

JSS2 Social Studies textbooks 5 books

Name	Author	Publisher
Faman Civic Education for Junior Secondary School 2School booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)	Bayo Fijabi	Faman Publishers
Fundamentals of Civic Education Books 1-3School booklist – Whitesands School, Lagos (private)Edition: 4th edition 2018	Sola Akinyemi	Fatsoholy Ventures
Classic Basic Social StudiesSchool booklist – Whitesands School, Lagos (private)Edition: New Edition 2017	S.A. Raufu, S.O. Koledoye, H.O.C. Ambassador-Birkins, M.O. Okereafor, A.A. Gussau	Thursmay Publishers
Bounty Social Studies for JSS 2School booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)	A.A. Adeyinka	Not shown (Bounty series)
Bounty Social StudiesSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)	Adeyinka A.A.

JSS3 Social Studies textbooks 5 books

Name	Author	Publisher
Faman Civic Education JS 3School booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)	Bayo Fijabi	Faman Publishers
Fundamentals of Civic Education Books 1-3School booklist – Whitesands School, Lagos (private)Edition: 4th edition 2018	Sola Akinyemi	Fatsoholy Ventures
Classic Basic Social StudiesSchool booklist – Whitesands School, Lagos (private)Edition: New Edition 2017	S.A. Raufu, S.O. Koledoye, H.O.C. Ambassador-Birkins, M.O. Okereafor, A.A. Gussau	Thursmay Publishers
Bounty Social Studies for JSS 3School booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)	A.A. Adeyinka	Not shown (Bounty series)
Faman Civic Education for Junior Secondary School 2School booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)	Bayo Fijabi	Faman Publishers

Based on the 2026/27 recommended lists. Editions change, so confirm the current edition with your school or bookseller.