Development-driven Policy Towards Transformation of Nigerian Society in Social Science Education

Tolani Damilola Kolawole; Mariam Adenike Lasisi

doi:10.56201/ijssmr.vol.11no6.2025.pg508.519

📄 Download Paper

Development-driven Policy Towards Transformation of Nigerian Society in Social Science Education

Tolani Damilola Kolawole, Mariam Adenike Lasisi

Abstract

Social science education plays a vital role in shaping responsible citizenship and fostering national development. However, in Nigeria, the effectiveness of education policies in achieving these goals remains questionable. Despite ongoing reforms, gaps persist in policy implementation, stakeholder engagement, and the practical relevance of the curriculum. This study addresses these gaps by assessing the extent to which development-driven education policies contribute to societal transformation through social science education. The primary objectives were to examine the alignment of current policies with national development goals, evaluate the impact of social science education on learners, and identify challenges affecting effective policy implementation. A descriptive survey design was employed, using a structured questionnaire administered to 150 purposively selected stakeholders, including teachers, curriculum developers, and policy officers across three geopolitical zones. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, and mean scores. Key findings revealed that while policies generally support national goals and promote civic learning, critical thinking, and unity, challenges such as inadequate teacher training, poor infrastructure, outdated curricula, and limited stakeholder involvement significantly hinder their implementation. Moreover, a gap remains between theoretical instruction and practical application in real-life contexts. The implications of these findings emphasize the need for increased investment in teacher development, curriculum reform, infrastructure improvement, and more inclusive policy-making processes. Strengthening communication between researchers and policymakers is also crucial for evidence-based reforms. This study contributes to policy discourse and provides a foundation for future research aimed at enhancing the transformative role of social science educati

Keywords

Curriculum ImplementationEducation PolicyNational DevelopmentSocial

References

Abubakar, A. (2013). Role of Social Studies Education in National Development in Nigeria. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 2(6), 103–108. http://dx.doi.org/10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n6p23 Adelakun, N. O., Omolola, S. A., Mosaku, A. O., & Adebola, M. S. (2022). Empirical Study on Electronic Learning System: Benefits, Challenges and Prospects. International Journal of Science Education and Cultural Studies, Vol. 1, Issue 2, 109–199. https://doi.org/10.58291/ijsecs.v1i2.58 Agbaje, A. A. & Adelakun, N. O. (2024). Educational Psychology as a Tool for Enhancing Sustainable Democratic Development in Nigeria: A Case Study of Iwo Local Govern- ment Area, Osun State. Thomas Adewunmi University Journal of Innovation, Science and Technology. 1(2). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15003256 Al-Thani, G. (2024). Comparative Analysis of Stakeholder Integration in Education Policy Making: Case Studies of Singapore and Finland. Societies, 14(7), 104. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070104 Birabil, T. S. & Nwadibia A. (2023). Curbing the Persistence Problems Facing the Effective Teaching and Learning of Social Studies in Nigerian Schools. J Adv Educ Philos, 7(2), 56-60. https://doi.org/10.36348/jaep.2023.v07i02.005 Dahal, T. N. (2021). ICT resources availability in rural community schools in Nepal: An ex- ploration and analysis. Artech J. Art Social Sci., 3: 1-10. Artech Journals, 3(1), 1-10. David, L. K., Wang, J., Brooks, W., & Angel, V. (2025). Digital transformation and socio- economic development in emerging economies: A multinational analysis. Technology in Society, 81, 102834. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.102834 Edewor K. O. (2024). Repositioning Social Studies Education as a Mechanism for Sustainable National Development in Nigeria. International Journal of Advanced Research in Tour- ism, Environment and Social Sciences. 3(1), 64-72. https://doi.org/10.48028/iiprds/ijartess.v3.i1.06 Egbetokun, A., Olofinyehun, A., Sanni, M., Ayo-Lawal, A., Oluwatope, O., & Yusuff, U. (2022). The production of social science research in Nigeria: status and systemic deter- minants. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 9(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-021-01017-z Federal Ministry of Education. (2013). National Policy on Education (6th edition). NERDC Press. Financial Times. (2024, Oct 16). Nigeria’s economic transformation must succeed. https://www.ft.com/content/54aa25f1-fb8b-40c9-8cb0-a395ef645bd3 Ibrahim, B.O. (2023). Development-Driven Tools or Parasitic Paradigms? A Critical Perspec- tive of Western Theories of Development and Its Reforms. In: Mtapuri, O. (eds) Pov- erty, Inequality, and Innovation in the Global South. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-21841-5_9 Igweonu, R. A. (2021). The Implementation of Universal Basic Education in a School in Ni- geria (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University). Iyanda, D. F., & Adelakun, N. O. (2025). A Comprehensive Analysis of Open Educational Resource Implementation in Nigerian Higher Education Libraries. International Jour- nal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Studies, 5(1), 634-640. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5118685 Ji, M., Jiao, Y., & Cheng, N. (2023). An Innovative decision-making scheme for the high- quality economy development driven by higher education. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 8(2), 100345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2023.100345 Kolawole, T. D. & Aluko, B. A. (2025). Assessment of Learning Styles, Skill Development and Academic Achievement of College of Education Students in Osun State, Nigeria. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 6(3), 4543-4551. Kolawole, T. D. (2023). Administrators' Managerial Roles and Teachers' Effectiveness in Pri- vate Secondary Schools in Ibadan South West Local Government Area of Oyo State. Billiri Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 1(1), 103-113. Lee, G. (2021). Taming the Beast: Confucianism as the Key to Reforming Korea's Chaebol System for the Common Good. Fordham Int'l LJ, 45, 155. Levy, B. L., Busey, C. L., Cuenca, A., Evans, R. W., Halvorsen, A. L., Ho, L. C., ... & McGrew, S. (2023). Social studies education research for sustainable democratic societies: Ad- dressing persistent civic challenges. Theory & Research in Social Education, 51(1), 1- https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9409-0400 Luka, R. C., Erunke, C., & Ifeoma, O. H. (2024). Impact of Funding Universal Basic Education on Educational Development in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Makarfi, A. M., & Sadiq, M. S. (2025). Addressing The Naira's Free-Fall in The Wake of Energy Subsidy Removal: A Policy Roadmap for Nigeria's Democracy. ShodhPrabandhan: Journal of Management Studies, 2(1), 21-31. https://doi.org/10.29121/ShodhPrabandhan.v2.i1.2025.15 Manojlovic, B. (2017). Education for sustainable peace and conflict resilient communities. Springer. Mezirow, J. (2018). Transformative learning theory. In Contemporary theories of learning (pp. 114-128). Routledge. NERDC. (2025). Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigerian_Educational_Research_and_Development_Co uncil Okwuchukwu, E. A., & Okpara, G. C. (2025). Philosophical Perspectives of Vocational Education, Experimentation, And Social Progress in Anambra State. Journal of Theoretical and Empirical Studies in Education, 9(2), 467-490. Olayinka, S. L., & Ridwan, M. (2024). Citizenship Education as a Vehicle for Nation Building: Perspective of Nigeria Citizens. LingLit Journal Scientific Journal for Linguistics and Literature, 5(3), 102-114. https://doi.org/10.33258/linglit.v5i3.1167 Osimen, G. U., Etoroma, O. M., Pokubo, I., & Adi, I. (2025). N-Power program and youth empowerment in Nigeria. Cogent Social Sciences, 11(1), https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2025.2466786 Ruto, Z. J., Shiundu, J. O., & Simiyu, A. M. (2023). The Significance of Primary Social Studies Content Organization in Fostering Knowledge, Skills, and Values for Cohesion and Integration in Kenya. African Journal of Empirical Research, 4(2), 909-915. Shambare, B., & Simuja, C. (2022). A critical review of teaching with virtual lab: A panacea to challenges of conducting practical experiments in science subjects beyond the COVID-19 pandemic in rural schools in South Africa. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 50(3), 393-408. https://doi.org/10.1177/00472395211058051 Suleman, B. D. (2023). The Role of Social Studies in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria: An Overview. Journal of Social Science and Education Research Studies, 3(10), 2165-2168. https://doi.org/10.55677/ijssers/V03I10Y2023-27 Tijani, B. E., & Adeduyigbe, A. M. (2025). Relevance of Science Education for Self-reliance and National Economic Development. SEAQIS Journal of Science Education, 5(01), 38-47. https://doi.org/10.58249/sjse.v5i01.165 UBEC. (2025). Universal Basic Education Commission (Nigeria). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Basic_Education_Commission UNESCO. (2020). Education for Sustainable Development: A Roadmap. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000374802.locale=fr Udofia, N. A., Ijeoma, P. P., & Chukwuemeka-Nworu, E. E. (2021). The new educational cur- riculum in Nigeria. Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in Education, 10(1), 1-12.

Development-driven Policy Towards Transformation of Nigerian Society in Social Science Education

Abstract

Keywords

References

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND MANAGEMENT RESEARCH