Christian education and nation building: a focus on Nigeria

Abstract

This article discusses the relevance of Christian education to nation building with a focus on Nigeria. Books, journal articles, and personal observations combined to serve as the resources for the study. The major questions addressed relate to the importance of Christian education to building the Nigerian nation in order to promote infrastructure development, combat the menace of corruption, enhance political stability, and the overall prosperity of the Nigerian nation. In an attempt to answer the question, this study discusses the meaning of Christian education, the purpose and objectives of Christian education, the agents for inculcating Christian education and the relevance of Christian education to nation building. Four important contributions of Christian education to nation building were identified. These include the provision of a basis for Christian stewardship; the provision for the basis for Christian leadership; the provision of a basis for Christ-like advocacy for equity and fairness in the rule of law, and the provision of an adequate Christian response to the menace of corruption in Nigeria. It is hoped that if persons who have received Christian education allow such exposure to permeate their lives and activities, then the Nigerian society can improve.