For some years now in Nigeria, the attention of its citizens has been drawn to various happenings in the society. As a result of this, many are embarking on various fact-findings, they resist threat to fundamental rights, and also solicit for their preferred candidate in elections. Also, cultural norms and ethical morals has been on an increase in the society as a result of the inclusion of civic education in Nigerian schools. In this post we shall be looking at the importance of civic education in Nigerian schools, and a critical insight of what civic education is all about, plus how it has served as a paramount subject to study in Nigerian schools.

The Concept of Civic

Before we look at the importance of civic education in Nigerian schools, you should first of all have a better understanding of what civic education is all about, and what the word “civic” means in relation to our local analysis in this post.

Civic, actually means the political, theoretical and political aspects of citizenship, and the right and duties of various citizens of a country. It can also be referred to the duties of citizens of a country to each other as members of a political body and to the government. Finally, it can also be referred to as the act of relating to ordinary citizens and their concerns in a country.

Also read: Nigerian People and Culture: Some Facts You Need to Know

What is The Meaning of Civic Education?

Knowing the meaning of civic education will give you a better understanding of its importance in Nigeria at large.

Civic education is actually the study or the art of learning processes that affects people’s beliefs, capabilities, rights, and duties related to the theoretical, practical and political aspects as a citizen of a state or country.

Civic education have no affiliations with the military, and it has nothing to do with one’s religion. It is the relationship between individuals and their governance in democracy.

Civic education promotes the understanding of democracy and individual rights and duties in the society, state, or country. It also teaches people to understand the laws governing the state, and promotes the orientation of citizens and consciousness about governance.

The education of civilians in Nigerian schools, as opposed to the military, will empower the citizens to organise and conduct themselves to be self-confident, and politically impactful in their societies. This at the end will bring peace and liberty to all individuals in the country.

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Importance of Civic Education in Nigerian Schools

Nigerian schools are meant to develop students knowledge, skills, character, and most importantly, influences them positively. Civic education was introduced into Nigerian schools to impart to students; the knowledge about democracy and what it entails on governance, the cooperative agreement between citizens and rulers, government and external bodies, government and external bodies, government and foreign agreements that will have an impact on the citizens at large.

The studying of civic education starts from primary school down to secondary school, though even higher institution has some courses related to civic. These are all means to encourage and enlighten the citizens more about democratic self-government. This means that citizens can be actively involved in governance and every decision making process in the country.

Civic education also helps students to understand their impact better in the society. It enables them to envisage the future that lies ahead of them in the country and how they can help in one way or the other in developing the country. It is important that both educators and learners should have a vision for their governance, and the learning should cover all aspects of the society, including the political sector. Students are expected to be educated about the history of the Nigerian constitution, the development so far, and the innovations both old and new in government. This knowledge will give students an idea about the democratic society, and fashion them to be well-behaved individual in the society wherever they find themselves.

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Civic education makes citizens to be responsible in their society, and committed to the Nigerian constitution. This makes them to be good citizens of the country, without violence, conflict or struggles.

Civic education opens the eyes of students to know their personal, political, economic, and civil rights. Personal rights are rights that concerns individuals; such as rights over their body, security, personal property, personal liberty, and private life. Civic education makes students to understand their existence as a citizen of Nigeria.

The political rights civic education imparts on students, is to give them the idea that they have the right to participate in governance, both in administration and establishment of government. Political rights also include; natural justice, the right an accused have, individual freedom, individual participation in politics without discrimination, right to vote, the right to self-defence, right to assemble, right to seek legal remedy, and right to fair trial.

Civic education also educate Nigerian citizens about their economic rights, which are rights to education, right to housing, right to live, right to good health, right to travek within or outside the state, right to drink and eat healthy, right to contract, right to work, right to mental security especially in old age and to disables. It educates the mind of citizens on basic amenities they should expect from the government.

Having proper knowledge is another importance of civic education in Nigerian schools. This is because it entails the roles and impact individual plays as a citizen of Nigeria. It includes, the rights to movement, right to life, right to elect and elected, freedom of association, freedom of speech and expression, freedom of formation, freedom of private life, freedom of religion, freedom to make a family, freedom of thought, right to hold position, and also civic responsibility or obligations, which are expected t be obeyed by all citizens to the very end.

Civic education in Nigerian schools is also important as it provides civic skills to students. This gives them the ability to think critically about political issues, enable them to know the history and importance of politics, teaches them to identify and have understanding of the flag, natural monument, political events, and every other important information. It enables students to make decisions on their own, have skills to become independent and other intellectual skills.

As a Nigerian citizen, it is important you are aware of all your responsibilities , such as personal and civic responsibilities to obey the law, attentive to public issues and paying of taxes. Civic education also educate citizens on appropriate sanctions that will be served to whosoever that go against any of the rules. It also equip citizens with the knowledge of what is expected of the government and citizens respectively.

Finally, civic education will educate the youths to know what is expected of the government and also how to question the public office holders appropriately without breaking rules and approaches to show displeasure over policies and decrees implemented by government that infringe on their fundamental rights. This helps youths to show patriotism to the country, Nigeria, and also their countrymen and women, so as to live peacefully in the environment they find themselves.

Conclusion on The Importance of Civic Education in Nigerian Schools

In this article, you will observe that critical explanation has been carried out on the importance of civic education in Nigerian schools. I am sure it might have given you a better understanding about your rights as a citizen of Nigeria. It has helped to broaden your knowledge of how to discern the system of government and rights of the citizens, and to know what is acceptable and what is a taboo to a given society. This summarizes the meaning of Civic Education and importance in Nigerian Schools.