ADVENT OF THE MISSIONARIES AND FORMAL WESTERN EDUCATION

Abstract

This paper is in retrospect of the journey of how the Federal Republic of Nigeria has come to where it is today, in the educational enterprise. The advent of formal and western styled education is credited to the missionaries who themselves came for evangelism, but eventually provided education to enable the natives (Nigerians) to read and understand the Bible, and to help the missions in the spread of the gospel. About a dozen missionaries established schools at different communities in Nigeria, making schools adjuncts of the church. The colonial government later intervened by providing grants-in-aid, regulating education through ordinances and codes, and supporting the development of education. This paper highlights how the self-determination era ushered by regionalism and constitutional provisions for education led to significant strides in educational development, including the launch of Universal Primary Education and the eventual establishment of private universities. Ultimately, the paper chronicles the progress made in education, the characteristics of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the impact of formal education, while not necessarily exploring detailed assessments of educational outcomes.