The Influence of Globalization on National Education Policies in Nigeria

Abstract

Globalization is one of the most widely contested phenomena by scholars because of its complexity, elusive nature and attribution for its positive and negative outcomes. Historically, globalization and education are very interrelated. This paper will look at the influence of globalization on National Education Policies in Nigeria. The process of globalization began as early as the fourteenth century or at least with emergence of capitalism in the sixteenth century which resulted in the creation in Europe and USA of national education systems. This process continued and resulted in the transfer of these national education systems by colonial powers on other nations, and eventually to the establishment of the globalization institutions and instruments (WB, IMF, UNESCO, UNICEF). The paper will argue that Nigeria since the introduction of national system of education under colonialism, has always been a recipient of her education policies. The country has not been able to articulate/formulate an endogenous education policy. All opportunities (military to civilian, civilian to military) had always ended in the reproduction (expanding or contracting) of the existing policy. Nigerian education policy makers should try to domesticate globalization and related processes by purposefully interacting with globalization demands as policies are being formulated and implemented. The paper will be presented according to the following themes/sections. One will be conceptualizing globalization and coming up with explanations/definitions for a shared understanding of this complex concept. Two, will be the examination of all the education policies against adequacies and relevance to Nigeria’s needs. Three, will be recommendations on how to indigenize modern education policies.