Historical Development of Universal Basic Education in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects (1999-Present)

Abstract

This paper is interested in the examination of historical development of Universal Basic Education in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects (1999 – present). This is because universal basic education is a necessity for the socio-economic and political development of individuals and the nation. The effective provision of the education would influence effective realisation of the objectives of the provision; whereas inadequate provision would not. Thus this study examined in historical perspective, the provision of the universal basic education in Nigeria since 1999, the challenges in the provision, and the prospects of actualising its objectives. The research method used in the study is historical research method because the study is historical in nature. Thus it makes use of primary and secondary sources of data. The data were subjected to periodic and thematic analyses in the fashion of historical research. It was found that the Universal Basic Education helped in the mass enlightenment of many children and in providing pre-vocational skills for the beneficiaries. It was also found that the government could not make adequate fund available for the free education which resulted in inadequate availability of human and material resources, and in inadequate quality education. It was therefore recommended that the government should make more dedicated efforts in financing the universal basic education (because of its benefits of mass enlightenment and socio-economic and political development). Further it was recommended that the Universal education be extended to the end of senior secondary school education for better realisation of the aforementioned benefits.

Key words: Universal Basic Education, Nigeria, challenges, prospects, Historical Research.