Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Impact of Civic Education on Sustaining Democratic Values in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria

Ruth James Umaru, Chetle Jacob Caleb, Abubakar Abdulkarim, Izang Phinehas Atang

Abstract

This study examined the impact of Civic Education on sustaining democratic values among senior secondary school students in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria. The study has three objectives, research questions and hypotheses respectively. The study employed both the descriptive survey design that sample opinions from young students from senior secondary school students who offer civic education. The sample size was 1400 students’ dawn using the simple random sampling technique from the target population of 6734. Data was obtained from the respondents through structure questionnaire using the instrument titled “Impact of Civic Education on Democratic Values Questionnaire” . The validity of the instrument was determined through face and content validity procedures by experts in Social Studies and Test and Measurement. The reliability of the instrument was ascertained through test-re-test method and the reliability co efficient of 0.75 was obtained. The data collected were analyzed using the mean and standard deviation and Chi Square test. The result of the study findings revealed that civic education plays a pivotal role in enhancing youth engagement in democratic processes. The findings also indicated that exposure to comprehensive civic education significantly increases youths' awareness and understanding of their rights and responsibilities as citizens, thereby fostering a more active values in voting, community decision-making, and other democratic activities. The study concluded that Civic Education remains a vital instrument for sustaining democratic values among students. The study recommended that Curriculum developers should integrate comprehensive civic education into the school curriculum to ensure that students receive a thorough understanding of democratic principles, rights, and responsibilities.

Keywords

Civic EducationDemocratic valuesSecondary School StudentsDemocracy.

References

Alscher, P., Ludewig, U., & McElvany, N. (2022). Civic education, teaching quality and students’ willingness to participate in political and civic life: Political interest and knowledge as mediators. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 51, 1886–1900. Al-Ansari, R., Al-Fahim, O., & Zang, B. (2025). The relationship between civic education and active political values of students. International Journal of Educational Narratives, 3(2), 105–113. Akakuru, O.C (2025). Civic responsibility and national transformation: A guide for Higher Education in Nigeria. Ekenegrace Publishers Nigeria. Bömmel, N. (2026). Does civic education in secondary school have an impact on political interest of Grade 8 students? Evidence from NEPS. Youth & Society, 58(1), 176–203. Biamba, C. N., Okudo, N. C., Ogunji, C. V., et al. (2021). Assessing democratic classroom practices among secondary school civic education teachers in South East Nigeria. Cogent Education, 8(1), 1–14. Chanda, C. T. (2023). Corruption and social-economic development. A Case of Matero Township in Lusaka District, Zambia. International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science, 5(9), 923-930. Chanda, C. T. (2024). Investigating the state of democracy and governance practices in African Nations. International Journal for Social Studies, 10(7), 1-21. Available: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12752073, ISSN: 2455-3220. Chanda, C. T. (2024). Democratization and economic growth: Assessing the role of political institutions. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 5(5), 2525- 2534. Chanda, C. T., & Chisebe, S. (2024). Federalism and decentralization: An African perspective. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 5(5), 13383-13391. Chanda, C. T., Chisebe, S., Mainde, D., Madoda, D., Mwansa, P., & Zohaib, H. S. (2024). Assessing the impact of online civic education platforms on educator competency and student outcomes: A case of selected higher learning institutions in Zambia. Journal for Studies in Management and Planning, 10(7), 1-20. Chanda, C. T., Chitondo, L., Chisebe, S., Phiri, E. V., & Mwila, M. G. (2024). Analyzing Sources of Instability in Africa: A Comprehensive Review. International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science, 6(2), 23-39. Chitondo, L. (2022). Effects of Civic Education on Youth Values in the Tenets of a Democratic Society: A Case of Youths in Four Rural Wards of Bahati Constituency in Mansa District of Luapula Province. International Journal on Studies in English Language and Literature , 10(8), 49-60. Cogan, J. L., & Print, (2016). (eds.) Civic education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Case Studies across Sex Societies. Tokyo: Routledge. Egan, H. E. (2021). Conceptual framework of social studies moral values and potentials of addressing moral failure in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Social Studies, 24(2), 313-328 Lawal, U. S., Abdullahi, M. B., Adoke, I. M., & Amadikwa, I. (2025). Roles of civic education in promoting political knowledge and civic engagement in Kaduna State. International Journal of Sustainable Development & Society, 2(1), 1–8. Lufeyo C. (2022). Effects of civic education on youth values in the tenets of a democratic society: A Case of Youths in Four Rural Wards of Bahati Constituency in Mansa District of Luapula Province. International Journal on Studies in English Language and Literature , 10(8), 49-60. Manuwa, T. (2023). Impact of civic education on political values and awareness among Nigerian youths. East African Scholars Journal of Education Humanities and Literature, 6(8), 357–364. Mainde, D., & Chola, D. (2020). The Teaching of Civic Education in Zambian Secondary Schools as a Strategy for Effective Political Participation. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 4(7), 293-301. Martini, M., Rollero, C., Rizzo, M., Di Carlo, S., De Piccoli, N., & Fedi, A. (2023). Educating youth to civic engagement for social justice: Evaluation of a secondary school project. Behavioral Sciences, 13(8), 650. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13080650 Medina, A., & Hilton, K. (2025). New data: Nearly half of youth voted in 2024. Tufts University, Tisch College of Civic Life . https://circle.tufts.edu/latest- research/new-data-nearly-half youth-voted-2024 Omotola, J. S. (2021). Political education, citizenship and democratic development in Africa. Democracy Review, 29(3), 251–266. Oubiña López, M., & Gómez Baya, D. (2025). Interventions to promote civic engagement among youth and its outcomes on mental health: A scoping review. Children, 12(6), 665. https://doi.org/10.3390/children12060665. Sele, A. P. (2020). Emphasis on curriculum contents in civic education for secondary schools in Nigeria. South Asian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 1(3), 45–57. Sule, M., Adamu, B., & Usman, U. A. (2023). Civic education curriculum implementation and political values among students in Zamfara State. Zamfara. International Journal of Humanities, 4(2), 33–48.

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND MANAGEMENT RESEARCH