Applying the Traditional African Education Model for Character Development in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria, like any other nation of the world, is not speared of the prevailing moral crisis in the contemporary period. Part of these crisis are however, traceable to the new values ushered in during the colonization of Africa and many of which are in direct conflict with African values. This work is therefore, an attempt to reflect on the traditional African education which has character building as its hallmark. This was done by discussing the place of character development in Nigeria today; and the major causes and consequences of character or moral decline in Nigeria. It is the position of the authors that the application of the African model will reshape the education orientation of Nigerian. This can be achieved through “Rational Reconstruction” of African culture, teaching the youths to define themselves as Africans and to determine their essential characteristics as Africans amongst others are some of the ways of avoiding the ‘miseducation’ and thus, shape the character of the Nigerian youths.