The Importance of Civic Education in Nigeria

Here in this post, we are going to outline and discuss the importance of civic education in Nigeria. We hope you find this post informative.

The majestic walk of a country into prosperity lies solely on its citizenry. The ultimate power to make life-changing decisions or to impact positively on the progress and development of a country rests on the civic responsibilities of the citizens of a country.

Civic education is like a key to unlock the door to citizen’s rights, duties, and responsibilities in democratic governance and active participation in its process as well as in the development of a country.

Read Also: 5 The Role of Citizenship Education in Nigeria

In an attempt by the federal government to move the country to a greater height, it should be noted that citizens make up a country and it is the citizens active participation in the democratic process of governance that adds an acceleration to the speed of a car and in this case a great turnaround in the country’s development.

It is essential for every citizen in a country to know his or her rights, duties and responsibilities in a country so as to be an active shareholder in the democracy, governance, and development of the country.

Before going any further into the article’s purpose which is the importance of civic education in Nigeria. It is necessary to know what civic education means.

Related search: 30 importance of civic education

What Is Civic Education?

Civic education can be defined as the awareness of the political, theoretical and practical aspects of citizenship as well as its rights and duties.

It is also the study of government with attention to the role of citizens as opposed to the external factors in the operation and oversight of government. (Wikipedia)

Civic education deals with the process through which people acquire knowledge, skills, and values necessary for purposeful citizenship and for the self and overall development of the nation-state.

It is important for every citizen in a country to know his or her civil rights, duties and obligations under the law so as not to be fooled by the government.

Read Also: 10 The Role of Information Technology in Basic Education in Nigeria

Related search: scope of civic education

Civic education is very essential as it equips citizens with basic knowledge of the constitution, the essence of good governance and the benefits of participating in it, the basics of democracy, the rights and duties to be exercised by the citizen of a country.

Civic education brings out the best in an individual as it breeds upstanding citizens and eliminates the issue of violence, conflicts, and struggles that might occur from ignorance posed by lack of awareness on the negative impact of such misconduct on the progress of a country.

In Nigeria, there are many of its citizens unaware of their basic rights, duties, and responsibilities and as such, they live in segregation which basically separates them from other citizens and they cannot actively participate in activities that would influence the political and democratic system of the country.

The knowledge and skills a citizen should imbibe pertaining to civic education includes values, good citizenship, national identity, democracy, human rights, obligations, traffic rules and regulations, Nigerian constitution, arms of government, elections, etc.

Civic education lays emphasis on integrity which should be considered when choosing a leader and if such attributes should be taken into consideration there will be growth, development, and conflict of any type would reduce drastically.

Duties and obligations of a citizen include:

a. A citizen must pay taxes as at when due

b. A citizen must respect the national flag and stand up while the national anthem is being played. This act tends to inculcate nationalism and patriotism.

c. A citizen must not only obey the laws of the state but pay respect to all the constitutional authorities in all government and academic institutions of a nation.

d. A citizen must perform volunteer services to immediate communities and for the needy in society.

e. A citizen must register and participate in the voting process of its country.

f. A citizen must show respect for the rights and dignity of all human beings or other citizens irrespective of their gender, communal, tribal, ethnic, linguistic and religious status and identities.

g. A citizen must be law-abiding and not get involved in crime nor with criminals

h. A citizen must contribute to the building of the good image of Nigeria in the eyes of citizens of other countries as good people and a great nation and promoting the Nigerian cause at all times and at any level.

The importance of civic education in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized as it completely plays major roles both in citizens self-governance and improvement in the political system of a country by its citizens.

Read Also: 9 The Role of Education to Development in Nigeria

The Importance of Civic Education in Nigeria

1. It Reforms Governance

Civic education brings about positive reform in governance which is made possible through the active participation of the citizens in the democratic and political process of governance which in return brings positive change in the democratic system of governance as well as the growth and development of the nation state.

2. Enlightenment

Civic education helps to enlighten citizens on their civic rights, duties, and obligations in society. It also makes them aware of the benefits of participating in the democratic and development process in a state.

It brings about awareness in the area of the law governing a state and how citizens must abide by the law so as to be an upright citizen in the state.

3. It promotes the knowledge of democracy

Democracy is a system of government in which all the people of a country can vote or elect their representatives.

Civic education basically educates the citizens on the values, concepts, and fundamentals of democracy so as to be a partaker in the decision-making process of moving the country forward by

exercising their rights to choose leaders of competence that will bring development.

4. It educates citizens on their civic responsibility.

Civic responsibilities are intrinsic features of any society in the world. The contributions of the youths through civic responsibilities will provide harmony and stable government in our society but on the other hand, a total disregard of civic responsibilities will result in chaos and political instability.

Civic education provides this basic knowledge to citizens so as to improve their stance in society when it comes to contributing to the democratic process of a country.

5. It helps students, citizens to know more about the government, the functions of the government and how the powers of the government are checkmated in a state.

Related search: needs of civic education

Read Also: Problems Of Citizenship Education In Nigeria

Conclusion

Civic education is very important in any politically organized society as it makes citizens impact positively on the democratic and development process of the country.

📢 We are hiring writers!