An Empirical Study of Classical Mythology Knowledge in Nigerian Children’s Literature: Identifying Patterns and Gaps

Nigerian children's literature is a rapidly growing publishing sector, and the presence or absence of classical mythological content in this literature shapes the next generation's cultural literacy and capacity for cross-cultural understanding. This study empirically analyses the presence, character, and accuracy of classical mythological content in Nigerian children's literature published between 2015 and 2023. A content analysis methodology was adopted, systematically identifying and analysing a corpus of 120 Nigerian children's books published between 2015 and 2023 for the presence of classical mythological figures, narratives, and themes. A validated classical mythology content coding instrument was applied to all identified material. Authors, publishers, and children's literature critics (n=25) were interviewed. Results indicate that classical mythological content appears in 23 percent of the corpus, with Greek mythology (particularly Hercules, Achilles, and Perseus) more frequent than Roman. Accuracy of representation is variable, with 44 percent of classical content demonstrating factual inaccuracies. Comparative African-classical mythological frameworks appear in fewer than 8 percent of titles, representing a significant missed opportunity for culturally grounded classical literacy. Children's book authors report limited access to reliable classical mythology reference resources. The study fills an empirical gap in Nigerian children's literature research and provides actionable data for publishers, educators, and classical scholars seeking to improve classical literacy in Nigerian primary education.

Keywords: classical mythology, children's literature, Nigeria, content analysis, cultural literacy