EDUCATION IN KNOWLEDGE AND EXERCISE OF POLITICAL POWER FOR SOCIAL RECONSTRUCTION: THE NIGERIAN CONTEXT

Abstract

This paper investigated education in knowledge and exercise of political power for social reconstruction in the Nigerian context. The aim of the paper was to underscore the urgent need for social reconstruction in Nigeria through education, knowledge and exercise of political power as key factors. The investigation was a qualitative one. A philosophical method was adopted, in which concepts and terms were critically examined, clarified and related to social reconstruction. Related literatures were also taken into consideration. From these, the paper observed that Nigerian political office holders have not been fair in their exercise of power. Some of the reasons for this include selfishness, lack of political will, ethnic and religious bias, and pervasive corruption. These, in turn, are attributable to improper education, both in principle and practice, but more especially in practice. The ugly situation has rendered social reconstruction merely a wishful thinking in the minds of the patriotic few. It was the conclusion of the paper that proper education in the knowledge and exercise of political power is indispensable for Nigeria to achieve social reconstruction, since education arms people with relevant knowledge, skills and competences. Without social reconstruction there can be no meaningful development. It was then suggested that Nigerian educators and educational institutions should brace up to face the challenges in this direction. Also, political office holders and those aspiring to positions of power, authority and influence should avail themselves any given opportunity to be well educated in these regards.