Religion, Nation-building and National Security: The Role of Effective Primary Education in Nigeria

Abstract

The preamble of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria indicates that Nigerians have resolved to live in unity, freedom, equality and justice under one God. While this shows the Godcentredness of the Nigerian project, it also underscores the fact that even though the belief in a deity is a personal choice, monotheistic Deity religion is a national symbol irrespective of any adopted theological expression. Today, not only is Nigeria having National mosque and National Ecumenical centre in the same part of the Federal capital city but has equally accommodated the two religions in the distribution of power and privileges among the adherents of these two faiths in order to give each group, a sense of belonging. This paper showed concern on the growing religion-related violence in Nigeria and their consequences on the socio-economic and political fabrics of the country. Querying gap in early childhood education, the paper recommended policy re-engineering and effective programme of monitoring aimed at strengthening primary education system in Nigeria.