Vol. 12, Issue 3, 2024

Education as a Panacea for National Development in Nigeria

Aderemi Anthonia Nwakaego & M. O. B. Mohammed

Abstract

This study examined education as a panacea for National Development in Nigeria. It stressed the fact that a nation develops in relation to its achievements in education. This explained why contemporary world attention has focused on education as an instrument of launching nations into the world of science and technology and with consequential hope of human advancement in terms of living conditions and development of the environment. This is because, education is the force and bulwark of any nation’s defense. Education is what each generation gives to its younger ones which makes them develop attitudes, abilities, skills and other behaviours which are positive values to the society in which they live. The whole life of an individual is education and it ceases when one dies. National Development on the other hand involves the improvement of a country in all areas, including the political, economic, social, cultural, scientific, and material spheres. It is the capacity of the country to raise the standard of living of its residents by providing individuals with basic livelihood requirements and supplying them with employment which in turn creates growth, brings in progress and positive change. The quality of a nation’s education determines the level of its national development. The problem of Insecurity in Nigeria which is caused by factors such as; illiteracy, unemployment, lack of creativity and innovation, and poverty among others, has adversely affected its immense national development. Therefore, the findings of the study revealed that, education is an essential tool that proffers solution to the problem of insecurity by educating the citizens, providing gainful employment, innovation, and poverty alleviation so as to eliminate insecurity and enhance National development. Sequel to the findings, it is recommended amongst others that; Education should be adequately funded by federal, state and local governments; through the provision of infrastructural facilities, creation of a conducive learning environment, recruitment of qualified manpower, training and development of teachers and imbursement of adequate remunerations, for proper advancement and enlightenment of the citizenry which will enable the educational sector to produce desired results that will stimulate national development.

Keywords

Education, Insecurity, Innovation, National Security, National Development

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