Human Development In Nigeria Research Articles

Philosophy, Human Development and National Question

What we know today as “philosophy” began as a cosmic inquiry into the nature of the universe as espoused by Thales of Miletus. Philosophy was then comparable to natural sciences; anchoring its major subject matter on the issue of change and permanence in the universe. The obvious discovery and wonder here, is that, behind this noticeable change in the universe, there is a certain unchangeable element, (urstoff). And the major problem becomes how this paradox of changeable and unchangeable phenomena can be resolved? While the solution to this dilemma is still being sought, Socrates shifted the attention of philosophy (with obvious reasons) from nature to ethical-political question, that is, to the issue of human development. It interests this essay, to find out, what exactly is human development, and why philosophy after Socrates considers human development as a more basic and more important issue than cosmic (or physical) development. In other words, why is human development the essence of every development and what is the contribution of philosophy to human development in Nigeria. And what is the relationship between philosophy, human development and national question in Nigeria fraught with corruption, insecurity, indiscipline, unemployment, etc.

Role of Philosophy in Human Development in Nigeria

It is indeed absurd to talk about development or impose on a human race a civilization without reference to Philosophy. Philosophy is a living subject which embraces all dialectical interpretations of life changes in society. It gives the hermeneutics understanding of reality by acting as a means to an end, through the interpretations of logical relations, ethical issues of categorical imperatives and methodological principles and concepts in our lives given situations. This paper therefore, intends to outline the issue of Philosophical importance to human development. The idea of development in the light of Philosophical postulations, ethical precision and statistics are required for human and scientific development. Philosophy in this perspective is the form and abstraction or the orientation man uses to interpret his world view. It has helped in the concept of human development, to a great deal of being in the epics of the humanitarian paradigm. Philosophy could be a genuine supporting tool for a harmonious existentialism in Nigeria, through proper restructuring of the polity, educational system, and judicial interpretations on the areas of retributive and distributive justice.

English Language, the Nigerian Education System and Human Development

The role English language plays in human development in Nigeria is the focal point of this paper. Basically, language is the most frequently used and the most highly developed form of human communication. Through language, people interact, share ideas and express their feelings. Without language, man would be incapable of a sustained and result oriented thinking. Education is unarguably an essential instrument for change and human development. At different levels of schooling in formal education, students are equipped with life-long knowledge and skills that would enable them realize their full potentials as human beings. However, all forms of education (formal, informal and non-formal) are realized through language; hence, language and education are inseparable. In the Nigerian polity, English language plays the role of a second language, considering the multilingual nature of the country. English is also the language of instruction in the Nigeria education system. Not only is it the language of instruction, it is also a compulsory subject and a yardstick for evaluating a learner’s school performance. The normal teachinglearning process thrives on effective communication between the teacher and the learner. No matter how expertly, learning experiences are selected and organized, the ultimate objective of the teaching-learning exercise would not be achieved if the language of instruction is unfamiliar to the leaner. This is where English language comes in. English language is indispensable to education in Nigeria, thus, it is a veritable tool for human development.Keywords: English Language, Veritable tool, Human Development, Education, and Nigeria

Achieving Human Development in Nigeria through Philosophical Instruments

The concept of human development conveys the thought of progressive unfolding of the entirety of the human person. It has as its end the attainment of the total well-being of an individual. However, often times, the end of human development appears truncated due to some existential circumstances surrounding the individual. Arguably, with the perceived Nigerian existential circumstances of maladministration that has led to extreme poverty, poor infrastructure, fallen standard of education, negative political proclivity in terms of ethnic chauvinism and religious bigotry, serve as albatross to authentic human development. The intent of this paper, therefore, is to argue the fact that through some core philosophical instruments, an individual in Nigeria can still attain total genuine well-being, human development.Keywords: Development, Nigeria, Instrument, Philosophy