The Problems of Nigerian Education and National Unity

Obozuwa, Osilama Thomas (1980) The Problems of Nigerian Education and National Unity. PhD thesis, Loyola University of Chicago.

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Abstract

The fundamental root of the problem is that Nigerian cultures have not influenced one another . This is primarily because neither the colonial administrators, who brought these different ethnic groups together for easy administration during the colonial era, nor the Nigerian politicians after them did anything positive to bring about mutual understanding among the different ethnic groups. Graf maintains that the colonial rulers, and Nigerian politicians after them, were never able to resolve the country's acute ethnic and cultural fragmentation. Today, cultural pluralism is a problem in Nigeria because the different ethnic groups have not been taught to know and respect one another's culture. These ethnic groups can neither appreciate nor love one another's culture which they know nothing about. Consequently, each group clings to its cultural values, beliefs and customs at the expense of national unity. The author claims that cultural pluralism could be an asset to Nigeria if there were a mutual interchange of cultural values which would bring a bout mutual understanding. The different cultures in Nigeria have their own uniqueness and beauty. The problem is, that hitherto nothing has been done to enjoin each ethnic group to contribute its cultural gifts to the enhancement and enrichment of Nigerian society. As to what degree a pluralistic society is desirable is a controversial issue among social scientists. Those who are against pluralistic societies advocate li the assimilation of ethnic minorities into the dominant culture of the society to attain cultural uniformity within the society, and thus eliminate the possibility Of internal conflict between ethnic groups. On the other hand, the proponents of pluralistic societies argue in favor of thecultural riches that accrue to pluralistic societies from accepting and practicing the organic cultural integration, one which allows for mutual interchange of cultural goods on the basis of mutual respect, for individual distinct values and in the conditions of free and harmonious cooperation.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Nigerian, Nigeria, National Unity, Nigerian Education, Problems of Nigerian Education
Subjects:	L Education > LB Theory and practice of education
Divisions:	Africana
Depositing User:	Mr Christopher Mapunda
Date Deposited:	12 Jun 2015 09:37
Last Modified:	12 Jun 2015 09:38
URI:	http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/191

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