If you attended primary school in Nigeria, you probably have at least one unforgettable excursion memory. It was that one school day when lessons moved outside the classroom, uniforms were washed and ironed, lunch boxes were packed, and everybody arrived at school unusually early.
Excursion day was a big deal. From the excitement of boarding a school bus to singing at the top of our voices on the way, it was an experience many of us looked forward to.
Depending on where your school was located, these were some of the places Nigerian pupils visited on excursion.
1. The Zoo
For many pupils, the zoo was the first opportunity to see animals beyond the pictures in their science textbooks. Monkeys, lions, crocodiles, ostriches and other animals suddenly became real.
Some children were fascinated, others were frightened, and a few would not go anywhere near the animal cages. Nevertheless, everybody had something to talk about when they returned to school.
2. The Museum
Museums were another popular excursion destination. Teachers took pupils around to see ancient objects, traditional sculptures, cultural displays, historical photographs and artefacts.
Places such as the National Museum in Lagos introduced us to parts of Nigerian history we might not have fully appreciated in the classroom.
3. Television and Radio Stations
Remember visiting NTA, LTV or a radio station? For many pupils, it was fascinating to see where television programmes were recorded and how presenters delivered the news.
Some of us even imagined ourselves becoming television presenters after watching people work behind the cameras and microphones.
4. The Airport
A visit to the airport was particularly exciting. Watching aeroplanes take off and land was an experience in itself.
Teachers explained how pilots, cabin crew, air traffic controllers and other aviation workers contributed to air travel. For children who had never travelled by plane, the excursion offered a glimpse into a world they had only seen in films.
5. The Fire Service Station
At the fire service station, pupils learnt about fire prevention, emergency response and the importance of calling for help during a fire outbreak.
The highlight was usually seeing the fire engine, its equipment and the firefighters in their protective uniforms. Some lucky pupils even got to sit inside the vehicle.
6. Factories and Industrial Facilities
Depending on the school, excursions sometimes included visits to factories where biscuits, beverages, textiles, plastics and other everyday products were manufactured.
It was interesting to see how the things we consumed at home were produced, packaged and transported to shops.
7. The Botanical Garden and Parks
Nature excursions introduced pupils to different plants, trees, flowers and insects. We learnt about the environment while enjoying the freedom of exploring open spaces.
For some schools, parks also provided the perfect opportunity for group photographs, snacks and a little playtime.
8. Government Houses and Public Institutions
Some schools organised visits to government establishments, courts, local government offices and other public institutions.
These visits helped pupils understand how public institutions worked and introduced them to different aspects of civic responsibility.
9. Universities and Higher Institutions
A visit to a university campus was another memorable experience. Pupils got to see lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, hostels and other facilities.
Teachers often used the opportunity to encourage us to take our education seriously. After all, the hope was that one day, we would return as university students.
Looking back, school excursions gave us an opportunity to learn outside the classroom, interact with our classmates and experience things we might not otherwise have encountered.
There were the packed lunches, the endless singing on the bus, the teacher shouting for everyone to stay together, the classmate who always forgot something and the excitement of returning home with stories to tell.