Nigeria, Oct. 12 -- The 70th anniversary of the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN) calls for reflection on its past achievements and its way forward. Founded in 1955 as a haven of intellectualism and eventually a custodian of Nigerian history, the HSN has posed the right questions about the roles that would render it relevant and refreshed in this new era of globalisation, digital renaissance, and waning interest in the humanities. To continue to play a role in the future, the HSN must understand the nation, develop technologically, and institutionalise professionalism, while remaining original in its aim of decolonising knowledge and structuring the intellectual future.

After the establishment of the HSN during Nigeria's nationalist sp...