AThe Concepts of Politics, Education and the Relationship between Politics and

Education in Nigeria

Ijov, Terlumun Mark 1, Dr. Alye, David Sar 2

I. SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION

The journal article “The Concepts of Politics, Education and the Relationship

between Politics and Education in Nigeria” is one of the articles in the Danish Journal of

Sociology and Political Sciences, July, 2015, Pages: 15-18. This contains two main

topics that focused on politics and education. It also includes the aspect of educational

management practices in Nigeria, their concepts of politics, education and the

relationship between politics and education.

This research paper was also reviewed by Chinedu Oparah (2017) on his blog on

InfoGuide Nigeria.com. It was entitled Relationship Between Education and Politics in

Nigeria. As observed from the paper review, he also highlighted the separate definitions

of politics and education and gave emphasis on their relationship with each other.

In the introduction on page 15, Hegel’s dialectic provides a model for examining

the intervention and influence of politics on Nigeria’s education system. This interaction

between politics and education become the interest of secularists, civic leaders and

educators, parents and tax payers. The Hegelian dialectic as cited by Raapana and

Friedrich (2005) is the framework for guiding our thoughts and actions into conflicts that

lead us to a predetermined solution.

Ijoy and Alde (2015) on this paper agreed that no one can separate politics out of

education. Various scholars suggested that further study can bring light to the issue.
The succeeding paragraphs separated the concept of politics with the concept of

education. The last heading stated the connection between the two.

According to educators and social scientists, politics is not just referring to

political parties, it also refers to banks, markets, educational institutions, churches,

sports, business, military establishment, commercial and industrial factors of our

economy. Therefore, as assessed from the definitions given by this paper, it can refer to

the totality of resources and all activities distributed to all walks of life in Nigeria.

Political scientists such as Laswell (n.d.), defined politics as the one who gets

what, when and how. On the other hand, Ranney and Nnoli (2003), defined politics as

the relationship between those who govern and those who are governed, between ruler

and the ruled. Political scientist Easton (n.d), defined it as a possible source of laws of

social physical life. Moreover, Okeke (2007) saw politics as a civilizing agent and a way

of ruling in divided society without violence.

The next part of the research paper, discusses the concept of education. Ijoy and

Alde (2015) mention various sociologists and educators who gave their own definition of

education. Hospers (1972) stressed that the more we come to know or understand a

particular concept, the richer our facts of the concept becomes. Peters in Asemah

(2010) on the other hand, sees education as a process whereby society brings out good

things the society can offer into its people for well-being and development. Ajaegbo and

Ibezim (2001) believe that education is the training of the mind and character for

effective performance.

Ortyoyande (2005) views education as all experiences and knowledge, acquired

through formal schooling or informal settings. Aliu (2001) stressed that education is a
way in which society transmits one generation to the next its knowledge, culture and

values. Olayiwola (2001) stressed that educational programmes is functional if it

consistently justifies that purpose for which it was adopted.

Moreover, as further mentioned by Ijoy and Alde (2015), Emayo and Eligie

(2001) stated that education is a powerful agent of progress and development. Fafunwa

(2004) defined education as the aggregate of all the processes by which a child or

young adult develops the positive abilities, attitudes and behavior which are of positive

value to the society in which he lives. It can be shown that education is needed for

economic and social development.

The relationship between politics and education in Nigeria was emphasized by

Nwanko (2014), when he mentioned on societal responsibilities and objectives,

education and politics. The politics adopted by any educational system are essentially

drawn by the political system. Educational policies are therefore those guidelines

expedient both for political socialization and for national socio-economic and cultural

development. Every government or political party is conscious that to ensure its political,

social and economic success, the schools must be involved in the promotion of the

interests of the governing power.

Historically, it has been shown that some education system of other countries

promote political programmers lifted from Hitler’s, Lenin’s, Victoria’s, Mao-Tse Tong’s,

the French Revolution and some Military Governments in Africa.

It is true that no educational system can survive without the financial support and

protection of the government in power. As Nwankwo (2014), stated that schools cannot

avoid to depend promotion of political leaders and creeds. Ogbonnaya (2007) agreed
on this contention when he stated that politics has been the forefront of education in

Nigeria. In this country, the government use education for social, economic and political

development, for equalization of educational opportunities and for ethnic harmony.

Ogbonnaya (2009) stated a 10-point reason showing the relationship between

politics and education. 1. Education is a basic human right and its function is to develop

the talents of individuals to the fullest possible extent 2. Every education system has

political goals 3. Politics comes before education 4. Politics determines the type of

education to be adopted 5. The education of the youths is probably the most

fundamental takes of society 6. The political order of society sets the pace for education

7. Politics is an aspect of the political needs of the society 8. Education is the servant

and product of politics 9. Education is regulated by government politics and politics and

10. The rising cost of education are largely met from the public purse.

Nwankwo (1984) has deposed that education itself is the means by which values,

customs, beliefs, traditions and culture of the society are transmitted to the young. In

accordance, Okunamiri (2005) mentioned from Richard (1968) asserts that education

either functions as an instrument which is used to facilitate the integration of the

youngest generation into the logic of the present system and bring about conformity to

it.

Almond and Coleman in Okunamiri (2005) see political socialization as the

process of induction into the political culture. Formal education plays the role of political

socialization, selection and classification of citizens.

According to Almond and Coleman in Okwori and Ede (2012), the family, the

church, community, school, work groups, voluntary organizations, media of

socialization within the primary and secondary structures, through later or manifest

procedures that give the individual the pre-political citizenship education or experience.

Okwori and Ede (2012) mentioned that in terms of merit, and in fact academic

qualification, the educational system becomes a strong form for political selection where

those who will rule and those who will be ruled are branded. Symbolically, the

educational system relies on the political system for its fiscal support and definitions.

The political leaders determine, especially in the developing societies, the direction,

type, location and process of education.

Conclusion and Recommendation

The paper further concluded that politics is a governing factor of every

educational system. We cannot take away one from the other. Indeed, politics directs

education due to its power to move economy and technological education for schools.

However, I can say that education can also influence politics. An educated and well-

informed citizen can choose best leaders that can govern them to the betterment of

society.

The same as other countries that we have discussed in the previous subjects,

the state decides the type of curriculum and subjects to offer in schools. Nigeria is

political governed by the state when it comes to its education system. This paper

recommended that there should be a limitation of the political influence in the

educational institution in Nigeria. There were variables that undue the influence of
educational system such as sectionalism, ethnicity, religion, catchment area, quota

system and partisan politics.

II. COMMENTS

Strengths. The first part of the comments shows the strengths observed in the

concept paper when it comes to relevance and timeliness.

The paper is relevant since politics and education cannot be separated solely. I

can consider this paper as one of the few studies trying to find out the relationship of

politics and education. There were lots of notable psychologist and authors who gave

various definitions of the terminologists and related concepts on politics and education.

The study is indeed timely since most PhD classes has Ded 604: Politics of

Education in their curricular subjects. This paper gave additional aide and references to

those students who are needing some paper to review. Ijoy and Alde (2015), come up

with this paper to review Nigeria’s education system.

As far as comparative education is concerned, the system of Nigeria is far behind

from its neighboring countries. Not all has the capacity to enter schooling due to

poverty. With this, their government had given financial assistance to families who

would send their children to schools.

When it comes to organization of thought, I can say that this concept paper is

indeed organize in its content. There is a separate paragraph for defining the concept of

politics quoting more than twenty relevant authors and researches. The next paragraph

presents the separate definition of education with quotations and researches deemed
relevant to the study. Lastly, the third paragraph enumerated the relationship between

education and politics and further explained why the two entities cannot be separated.

Weaknesses. The next part shows the weaknesses observed in the concept

paper in terms of organization of thought, grammar correctness and timeliness.

I have notice that there are at least two items in this paper which don’t follow the

grammar correctness format. The subject-verb agreement of singular and plural

subjects and verbs are erroneous. Moreover, there’s some inconsistency of tenses (shift

from present to past form).

The paper is indeed timely however, some of the author citations mentioned on

this paper are not that recent. For an instance, Hosper (1972) was still mentioned

without citing a recent study after his name. Moreover, some of the authors citation

were not indicated by date; that is why (n.d) is designated thereof.

REFLECTION

As I have some readings related to politics and education, I agreed that politics

and education cannot be separated since they are always connected. Politics dictates

the kind of education that schools must have. I can see that economy is one factor that

makes politics of control over the educational system. Even in our country, politicians

have a direct influence on what kind of education we will be having.

As mentioned by Oparah (2017) on his blog, politics and the political climate of a

country affects the kind of education students will get. A state will always like to teach its

political ideologies in its schools, therefore it can be said that politics shapes education
and education in turn modifies politics. This article is an attempt at understanding the

relationship between education and politics in Nigeria.

In the Philippine setting, Department of Education (DepEd) is under the umbrella

of the government and the secretary of education is one of the cabinet members in the

president’s administration. It is very political in nature and in origin. Even budgets in

education must have the approval first of the senate and of the president.

The school then predicts the kind of individuals the community will have. People

who are educated have the tendency to vote for a better choice of candidate in the

election. In return, politicians can provide resources such as buildings, classrooms,

laboratories and facilities for schools.

Moreover, there were educational policies that are deeply influenced by politics

such as K to 12 Program, 4Ps, and even teacher’s promotion, salary standardization,

allowances and bonuses.

REFERENCES

Blumenfeld, Sam (2015). Education and Politics. Retrieved on November 30, 2017 at
https://www.thenewamerican.com/reviews/opinion/item/13276-education-and-
politics

Ijov, Terlumun Mark and Alye, David Sar (2015) The Concepts of Politics, Education and
the Relationship between Politics and Education in Nigeria. Department of
Educational Foundations, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria.

Oparah, Chinedu (2017). Relationship Between Education and Politics in Nigeria.