Education and the Fight against Corruption in Nigeria
- June 3, 2021
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: Education, IJRISS
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue V, May 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186
Education and the Fight against Corruption in Nigeria
Ekechukwu, Peter C.
Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Abstract: Nigeria, a land that is highly blessed with human and material resources is facing the challenges of bad governance and corruption. These factors are responsible for the high level of under development, economic stagnation and high poverty rate. Corruption has ruined and destroyed all sectors of Nigerian including the education sector which was expected to produce transformed citizens and provide answers to societal challenges. The education sector has failed in her responsibilities to produce individuals who are morally upright with the right types of values and behaviours. Hence, the vicious cycle of corruption and poverty. This paper therefore focused on education and the fight against corruption with a review and discussion of the concept of education, corruption, good governance and its benefits, and the roles of education in fighting corruption. The study concluded that our governments and our educational system have failed us in the fight against corruption and this calls for a rethink on how to start all over again with dedication and passion to save Nigeria from total collapse. The researcher therefore suggested the following among others as the way forward: a change of the mindset of the citizens through the education system and the national orientation agency; stringent punishment for public officers convicted of corruption including naming, shaming and publishing their names in black book to serve as deterrents to others.
Key Words: Education, Corruption, Fight, Nigeria Government, and Functional Education
I. INTRODUCTION
Nigeria is the most populous black nation in the world. It is located in Africa. The country is highly blessed with human and material resources that are not adequately utilized. Nigeria is a member of the Common Wealth Nations and United Nations Organization. Nigeria is a signatory to most of the Common Wealth and United Nations Acts and Ratifications. One of such Acts is the Human Right Act of 1948 which recognizes the right of access to education as one of the fundamental human rights. Education in Nigeria is perceived as an instrument “par excellent” for effecting national development (FRN, 2014). This makes it to be highly rated in the national development plans because it is the most important instrument of change; be it social, technological, industrial, or intellectual change. Any meaningful or fundamental change has to be preceded by a functional educational system.
