The Importance of Western Education in Nigeria

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

According to Wikipedia, education can be conceptualized as an act or process of developing and cultivating (whether physically, morally or mentally) one’s mental activity or senses; the expansion, strengthening, and discipline of one’s mind, faculty, etc.; the forming and regulation of principles and character in order to prepare and fit for any calling or business by systematic instruction.

Read Also: The Role of Local Government in Education in Nigeria

Western education, however, is the modern type of formal knowledge passed by the Europeans to their colonies through different means and strategies in order to inculcate and impact in them the simplified modern and contemporary ways of solving socio-economic and political problems.

The exegesis about the importance of Western education in Nigeria can be traced down to the emergence of the colonial masters in the shores of Africa in the 20th century. This came through the introduction of schools and learning institutions across the country by the early Christian missionaries.

Read Also: The Role of Universal Basic Education in Nigeria

During the pre-colonial era, however, the type of education used by Nigerians was an informal one whereby elders in the families impact in their children the moral values of living a good life, anything beyond that is not far-fetched.

The educational development was closely linked with the social development as in conformity with the successive stages of the physical and mental upbringing of the child. This pre-colonial educational system was difficult as it created a problem of distinguishing between mere education and productive ideas.

Keywords: Education, Western, Science, Technology, Innovation, Nigeria

The necessity of the western educational system in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized as the impact can be widely felt in all the areas of life, especially in the science and technology sections.

In the area of science, western education has widely opened the eyes of Nigerians in the health sector, by introducing different orthodox methods of preventing and curing diseases such as Malaria, fever, Typhoid, HIV/AIDS virus, and other diseases as against the traditional means of getting medically administered.

In family planning also, the introduction of the birth control system has become a greater tool in enhancing quality and good family planning.

The sophisticated drugs produced scientifically has proven to be much more effective than the former herbal drugs taken without scientific back-ups.

Also, the Agricultural sector has witnessed a lot of boosts through the introduction of fertilizers, pest-controlled chemicals and storage facilities that have been lacking during the pre-colonial era.

In the food sector, Western formal knowledge has helped Nigerians inadequate consumption of quality controlled foods through scientific checks and verifications in order to avoid the spread of expired edible products that are harmful to the body.

Read Also: 15 Importance of Education to the Development of Nigeria

Secondly, technology has been at the forefront of global development, it has driven the world in a pace of transformation and absolute difference.

The Nigerian’s technical know-how today was largely influenced by the Western educational system through the influx of technological blueprints for human capital development in all the spheres of life.

The introduction of courses like Engineering, Architecture and other technological induced courses, have elevated the Nigerians in the quest for huge development to enable them to meet up with the current pace of the Western world in the technological race.

The pragmatic examples are clearly seen in the modern constructions of bridges, houses, roads and other infrastructures that aid human life.

The use of computer these days in Nigeria have become so popular and in constant increase to aid in simplifying the educational activities in schools and maintain a high level of technological relationship with the rest of the world.

In terms of exposure, Western education technically exposed Nigerians to adequately compete with other intellectuals in society in various fields of learning.

The recognition attained by Nigerians through these exposures can be seen in their excellent performances, such as the literary giants like Wole Soyinka, who won the Nobel Laureate award in 1988, Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Adichie, and a whole lot others.

Read Also: The Role of Education in the Promotion of Health in Nigeria

The competitive experiences enjoyed with other countries in various fields of learning has been precipitated by the Western educational system.

Furthermore, it was the light of Western education that shone on the faces of Nigerians that brought about independence and other benefits embedded in freedom from colonial traps.

Through the lenses of Western knowledge, the Nigerian nationalists and founding fathers were able to penetrate the colonial forces and expose the dangerous plans that have ravaged the entire nation in their hands.

Western education has positively affected the rapid boost in the information and communication system. This sector has been tremendously improved through this educational system, as the Western languages have helped Nigeria in proper communications with other Western world, thereby raising them above standard and including them in the socio-politico and economic activities that have been lacking during the pre-colonial era.

The influx and proper handling of communication and information gadgets is the sole influence of Western education in which Nigerians were absolutely prepared for and accepted it.

Western education has imbibed in Nigerians the culture of developing innovative mindsets through the wide study of different solutions to the emerging problems in every sphere of society.

Nigerians with groundbreaking records in innovations have become numerous with significant names ringing bells in the global ears. For example, the father and founder of internet services, Phillip Emeagwali, have exponentially utilized his abilities through the wealth influence of Western education.

Western education has shaped Nigeria’s political culture and ideology, through changes in government systems, from parliamentary, unitary and presidential systems of governments respectively.

It has re-opened the doors of collaboration with other countries of the world by enhancing the means of proper communication as far as bilateral relationships and foreign policy objective is concerned.

Read Also: 5 The Role of Citizenship Education in Nigeria

In conclusion, the essence of Western education in Nigeria is very vital in Nigeria today, as it has improved and shaped the organizational structures and enhanced the societal backwardness in terms of relating with other countries in internal trade and businesses.

There is a need, however, to inculcate in the upcoming generations the great feeling for a wide range and increase in development for adequate contribution and proffering of empirical and technical solutions to the emerging problems through science and technology.

📢 We are hiring writers!