A university don, Dr David Babatunde Akinola, said civic education and social studies are crucial instruments for tackling the multi-faceted issues Nigeria faces in the twenty-first century.
He stated this in a keynote address titled: “Social Studies and Civic Education as a Pathway to Navigating the 21st Century Challenges in Nigeria”.
The keynote address was presented at the 12th annual North Central zonal conference of Social Studies and Civic Educators Association of Nigeria (SOSCEAN) holding at Federal Capital Territory College of Education, Zuba, Abuja, Nigeria on 4th to 7th November, 2024 .
Dr Akinola of the Department of Education Foundations, Faculty of Education of University of Abuja said this can only be achieved through “fostering critical thinking, social cohesiveness, political awareness, environmental stewardship, and active civic involvement, these courses equip students to deal with the challenges of a world that is changing quickly.
“In order to ensure that future generations are prepared to contribute to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic Nigeria, social studies and civic education must continue to be at the forefront of the country’s educational agenda as Nigeria struggles with political, economic, and social issues.”
He bemoaned a development he referred to as School subject Politics.
According to him, “In Nigeria, everything has become politicized, even the subjects taught in schools. After the curriculum was planned and Social Studies lost its position in the SSS curriculum, this political choice gave rise to the proposal to remove Social Studies from the Senior Secondary School (SSS) curriculum. Additionally, traditional subject specialists intended to sabotage the implementation of Civic Education after it was scheduled for Senior Secondary Schools.”
He sees Social Studies and Civic Education as potent curricular offering for addressing 21st century challenges in a democratic Nigeria
Dr Akinola noted “The goal of civic education and social studies is to create capable and productive citizens who will take part in the democratic process for the benefit of all and the advancement of their countries.
“In order to prepare students to be successful citizens who can handle the challenges of the twenty-first century in a democratic Nigeria for the advancement, prosperity, and posterity of current and future citizens, social studies and civic education have a unique place in the curriculum. Both civic education and social studies can: Fostering Political Awareness and Civic Responsibilities: Civic education plays a crucial role in educating pupils about the rights and obligations of citizens, the electoral process, and the composition and operations of the government. Civic education can increase political engagement, decrease voter indifference, and encourage leadership accountability by cultivating an awareness of the democratic process.
“Social studies can help students become more aware of the political landscape around the world, which will help them evaluate Nigeria’s place in international affairs.
“Using Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills to Address Unemployment: Social Studies fosters the critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities that are crucial in the twenty-first century. Students can investigate creative answers to problems like unemployment and entrepreneurial prospects by participating in conversations about social and economic issues. By fostering principles of accountability, work ethic, and civic responsibilities that equip students for active engagement in the economy, civic education enhances this.
“Fostering National Integration and Social Cohesion: Social studies is crucial for fostering national integration and social cohesion in Nigeria because of the country’s ethno-religious diversity. It promotes discussion on how to coexist peacefully in a pluralistic society and teaches pupils to value cultural diversity. In addition, civic education emphasizes the value of dispute resolution, tolerance, and respect for the law—all of which are essential for preserving peace in a multiethnic country like Nigeria.
The National President of SOSCEAN, Prof H. I. Bayero in his goodwill message noted that the theme of the conference reflects the pressing need to address the multi-faceted challenges facing the country.
He commended the North Central zone of SOSCEAN for been at the forefront of innovative thinking and dynamic engagement and asked for its sustenance.
The Provost of FCT College of Education, Zuba, Abuja, Dr Sule Mundi represented by the Deputy Provost, Dr Gbemisola Olotu thanked the North Central zone of SOSCEAN for choosing the institution as venue for the Conference.
She said for Nigeria to come out of her present social malaise and economic doldrum, Nigerians must arm themselves with critical thinking and skills.
