International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VII, Issue IV, April 2020 | ISSN 2321–2705

Western Education and the British Invasion and Subjugation of the Muslim Land in Northern Nigeria

Muṣṭapha Garba Muḥammad
PhD, Senior Lecturer, Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Arts and Education, Bauchi State University, Gadau, Nigeria

Abstract: – By 1902 western European Colonists in northern Nigeria formed an alliance with the church to establish Christian oriented schools, which were used for the conversion of Muslims and Animists, and equally serve as way of extracting minerals resources of the northern Nigeria. This paper presented research on “Western education and the British invasion and subjugation of the Muslims land in Northern Nigeria”. The paper employed analytical and historical research methods, moreover it analyzed how the school subjects of standard I-VI operated at that time, and it equally identified and determined the invasion of various caliphs and Emirs within the Territories of northern Nigeria. The research findings identified that Islamic scholars should come up with some modalities that can improves student’s habit of reading history and events of such nature. The paper recommends that stakeholders and the Muslims organizations must steadfast in organizing conferences, seminar and symposium in memorizing sets of impacts led down by the colonial masters in the history of education in northern Nigeria.

Key words: Christian Missionaries, Colonists, Muslims Ummah, Northern Nigeria andWestern Education.

I. INTRODUCTION

Discussion of the western educational system considered necessary because of its overbearing influence on the life-style of Nigerian Muslims. It is increasingly becoming clearer that almost everything either depends on or draws inspiration from the Euro-Christian system of education in the country. The reason for this development may be the concomitant effect of the tragic and offensive colonization of our country by the Europeans who were Christians. The western education unlike the Islamic system of education that emphasized the real acquisition of Knowledge, skills and values, emphasized the accumulation of certificate. This trend has permeated all the levels of the formal system of education in Nigeria.
A look at the history of western education in Nigeria indicates that the system has its origin traced to the arrival of the Portuguese, the first European people to set their feet on this part of Africa the Portuguese came to the Guinea of Gulf towards the end of the 15th century . The origin aim of the people who introduced Western education was both economic and religious. They wanted customers who would be able to understand them and served as interpreter. This they believe would boost their commercial activities.