A Descriptive Analysis of the Nigerian Educational Framework

Nigeria inherited a colonial educational framework at independence from Britain on October 1st 1960. The systemic thrust of this education centered on the liberal arts modality and not the sciences. This system of education was formulated to serve the colonial interest which was at the center of colonial policy formulation whereas the interest of Nigeria atrophied at the periphery. This arrangement has not worked well for Nigeria. Presently, Nigerian education is in crisis. The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial periods of the evolution of the Nigerian educational framework. The study further sought to understand what was behind the crisis in Nigerian education so as to make recommendations for a different way forward. To find a way forward, a paradigm shift from the status quo is needed. This study used the qualitative methodology. Purposeful and random sampling methods were used to gather data. At the heart of the study was the work of a focus group that discussed and answered a set of questions related to the study. In all, four groups in Nigeria participated in the study. The study found that there was a significant relationship between the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial periods of the evolution of the Nigerian educational framework. The study also showed that, embedded within the educational system inherited at independence, were cultural and other values that have created a dissonance in the Nigerian, between the centeredness of his African roots, and, the acquired Western frame of reference. The study concluded that policy formulation in theory must actually be put into practice is sustainable change is to occur. It further concluded that adequate and sustained funding should be at the heart of the paradigm shift towards an African education for Africa. The study recommends that Nigeria must look within Africa's rich repository of culture to harness a new way forward