Functional basic education for promoting security in Nigeria: challenges and ways forward

Abstract

This paper focuses on functional basic education for promoting security in Nigeria. It highlights some concepts and discusses identified problems in formulating and implementing basic education policy in Nigeria, exposing gaps. The paper reminisced on the education content and environment in Nigeria's early years. It further identified low-quality basic education, low budgetary allocation, the language of instruction and out-of-school children caused by poverty, religion and cultural beliefs as major issues against functional basic education for promoting security in Nigeria. As a way forward, this paper recommended, among others, that the government should sustain Better Education Service Delivery for All, operate Homegrown School Feeding and Health Programme, tackle corruption, make the curriculum innovative and engaging, and that leaders should act with complete honesty. The paper concluded with the need for a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) and the cultivation of the "Five Minds for the Future" to make basic education functional for promoting security in Nigeria.