EDUCATION AND NIGERIAS QUEST FOR NATION-BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT

This paper examined education and Nigerias quest for nation-building and development. The study highlighted that access to quality education is a great virtue of nation-building and development. It is assumed that nation-building and development are made possible through education. It is widely believed that education places a significant premium on thinking critically and ethically to contribute to national development and nation-building capability. The paper further identifies and places importance on the problems of nation-building and development in Nigeria and the better ways to change the narrative that hinders nation-building. The paper also explores, by way of explanation, how education could be used to serve as a pathway to nation-building. The methodology adopted was a contextual analysis that involved the review of materials from different publications, textbooks, and other relevant internet/online sources that were descriptively presented. The paper concluded that since education is regarded as a pathway to nation-building and development, governments at all levels should strive to work out and be committed to meeting the UNESCO International Benchmark on 20% annual budget for education from member nations, especially among 3rd World countries to be able to drive the vehicle of nation building and development to a promised land.