CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION: A CATALYST FOR NATIONAL INTEGRATION IN NIGERIA.

Abstract

With Nigeria's long history, great natural and human resource endowment, and scientific and technological advancements, one would expect that a stable national integration of the country's society would have been created long ago. However, the current situation in Nigeria suggests that the journey thus far has left much to be desired, and national integration has become a non-issue in national debate. As a result of the country's current challenges, many people have called for secession, while others have advocated for restructuring, and true federalism can be traced back to the country's multicultural makeup. As a result, the goal of this essay is to look at the function of citizenship education in Nigeria's national integration process to come up with a solution to the country's current problems. Citizenship education has been defined as the development and production of active citizens who are socially responsible, socially sensitive, socially adaptable, and socially intelligent members of their immediate environment and larger society. The paper concluded by maintaining that true integration would be ushered in by a sincere and intentional commitment among Nigeria's numerous peoples to truthful living and peaceful cohabitation, ushering in a progressive nation working toward long-term development for the sake of current and future generations. Finally, it was recommended among others, that all Nigerian citizens should endeavour to imbibe the culture of accommodating and working with others in a manner that promotes national integration and unity.

Keywords: Citizens, Nigeria, Society, Citizenship Education, National Integration.