Reappraising Islamic Moral Education for Positive Nationhood in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper explores the role of Islamic moral education in promoting peace and development in Nigeria. Drawing on the literature on Islamic education, peacebuilding, and development, it examines how Islamic moral education can contribute to positive nationhood in Nigeria. The paper also considers the challenges and opportunities for implementing and promoting Islamic moral education in the country. The methodology of this research is a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative methods included a survey of Islamic religious leaders and practitioners, as well as an analysis of secondary data on religious education and development in Nigeria. The qualitative methods included in-depth interviews with religious leaders and practitioners, as well as participant observation in Islamic religious schools and institutions. This paper showed how the research contributes to understanding the role of Islamic education in promoting positive nationhood and addressing the challenges of religious diversity in Nigeria. It discussed the ethical and practical challenges of researching Islamic moral education in Nigeria. Finally, the significance of the research in highlighting the potential impact of the findings on the field of Islamic moral education and peace and development in Nigeria was discussed. The work concluded with a discussion of the implications of the findings for future research and policymaking. To address the challenges of Islamic moral education in Nigeria, the paper recommends creating a national policy on Islamic moral education that is inclusive of all stakeholders and increased funding for Islamic moral education, and ensuring that the funds are distributed fairly and transparently.