Education and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: An Analysis of the Contribution of UNESCO, 1960 – 2018

Abstract

Education plays a very crucial role in national development. It is an instrument of social change which could transform the society in significant ways. For a state or society to achieve sustainable national development, the quality of its education should be improved. This paper examines the contributions and impact of UNESC0 on education and sustainable development in Nigeria between 1960 and 2018. The paper adopts historical, descriptive and analytical method. It highlights the various challenges in the Nigerian educational system and UNESCO’s efforts to ameliorate the deplorable situation. The paper argues that UNESCO’s assistance to Nigerian education in such critical areas as teacher education, technical and science education, adult literacy, girl child education, among others has the potential of promoting education and sustainable development in Nigeria. The study concludes that despite all its challenges, UNESCO created a new literate and educated class, and contributed to the growth and development of Nigeria. Thus, for the nation to achieve an enduring education for sustainable national development, the study suggest that government should increase the funding of education, make provision for girl child education, improving the welfare of teachers, provision of teaching aides and science and art laboratories and equipment, among others.