For Nigeria to survive as a nation, it must include social studies in the school curriculum at all levels of the educational system.
A professor in the department of Social Sciences Education, University of Ilorin, AbdulRaheem Yusuf made the recommendation at the university’s 23rd inaugural lecture which he presented.
Yusuf’s inaugural lecture is titled: ‘Socialising or Civilising the Citizens: The Quandary of a Failing Nation’.
The inaugural lecture posited that one major means to inculcate and cultivate discipline among the citizens is the reintroduction of Social Studies at all levels of education in the country.
He said doing this will make Nigeria grow into a vibrant county and realise the principles of a just and egalitarian society.
Yusuf said that a disciplined citizen observes the laws of the land without being noticed and adheres to solid moral principles.
“The teaching of the subject, at all levels of our education, will neutralize geographical and ethnic diversities and result in the establishment of a united Nigeria with responsible leadership.
“Without committed, disciplined and purpose-driven leadership at all levels, no action plan will succeed, no matter how noble it seems. We commonly see that the majority of those in positions of power lack the necessary skills and those who have those skills are not in positions of authority. This circumstance has resulted in inept leadership and it’s attendant frustrated citizenry.
“We break laws just because we want to take undue advantage of other people. In order to gain power, we betray ourselves, we renew our hopelessness at every election, we sell our votes in order to elect mediocre, promise breakers and ineffective leaders, we provide questionable certificates to attain power, we jump or shunt queues and we hoard necessities in order to drive up prices, as evidenced by the frequent petrol scarcity”, he added.
