54 IJSR - INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH Volume : 3 | Issue : 8 | Aug 2014 • ISSN No 2277 - 8179 Research Paper Education EZEGBE, B .N. Ph.D., Department of Social Science Edu., University of Nigeria, Nsukka ESKAY M. Ph.D, Department of Educational Foundations, University of Nigeria, Nsukka ANYANWU, J. PH.D, Department of Educational Foundations, University of Nigeria, Nsukka ABIOGU, G.C. PH.D, Department of Educational Foundations, University of Nigeria, Nsukka Role of Social Studies Education in Citizen ship Training: Implication for National Development KEYWORDS : ABSTRACT The focus of this paper is that there is an urgent need for citizenship training in Nigeria on account that Nigerian citizens are expected to contribute their own quota to the development of the nation through a good spirit of national consciousness, love for the nation and its noble ideals. These social characteristics are expected to be inculcated in the citizens through social studies education. Taking a look on Nigerian social and political life one needs to review the efficacy of social studies curriculum in achieving national objectives. The social ills in Nigerian society such as Boko harams, child trafficking, child labour, political thuggery, social maladjustment, kidnapping, corruption and corrupt practices and current spates of bombing in private and public places among others envisaged in social life of Nigerians today are attested to the facts. To address these problems, the role of social studies education for citizenship training cannot be over-emphasized. More emphasis should be made on citizenship training aspect of social studies. Hence the paper found that inadequate citizenship training remains the cause of social problems that bring back the pace of development of Nigeria; that adequate citizenship training through social studies education will enable the citizens have knowledge of their fundamental human rights; rule of law and other ideals of democracy and respect same towards national development. This will help them understand their roles toward peaceful and orderly society for national development. The study recommended among others that Social studies education should be taught by qualified teachers (those that read it at NCE, degree, masters and doctorial levels) at all levels of the education system; the Federal Ministry of Education should make social studies education a core subject at senior secondary school level and an elective course at tertiary level given its importance in citizenship training for national development. When these are done, the vices and/ or social malaise in Nigerian society would be reduced to its barest minimum. Introduction Social Studies Education in many countries of the world is a child of necessity. This may imply that the essence of intro- ducing Social Studies in most countries’ curriculum was to heal some social ills towards national development. Ideally, Kissock in Akubue (2006:15) traced the development of Social Studies and pointed out that: In western Germany, it was introduced after the Second World War as a means of developing a new political order and as knowledge for effective citizenship. In Britain, it was used to legitimize the teaching of social sciences particularly Sociol- ogy, while preparing students for their role in the society. In Japan, it was introduced to build a foundation for democratic society while in Canada and the United States (USA) it con- tinues its primary function of preparing students for effective citizenship in democratic society. Going by the reason for establishing social studies as a subject in USA, the essence of Social Studies education is for citizen- ship training as to produce effective, efficient, useful, loyal, self reliant, creative, and/or functional citizens in a state. Probably, the above rationale could be the reason some schol- ars see Social Studies as a living subject. According to Nwoji (2006) Social Studies is a living subject in that it deals with the matters of the moment as a preparation for now and fu- ture. She further adds that it is a discipline that deals with social change, better future and problem solving. Ezegbe, Ikwumelu & Okeke (2012:81) appear to corraborating the above view when they assert: Social Studies is a discipline that deals with social change and ensures that a meaningful interaction of the recipients with their physical and social environments is attained. It engen- ders sound education of the citizens, as well as inculcates a sense of social consciousness and social responsibility… incul- cates the values of honesty, co-operation and the need of the nation, as well as the desirable skills to solve environmental problems. Hence, the role of Social Studies in citizenship training for national development cannot be underestimated. Citizenship can be seen as a position or status of being a citizen with all the rights associated with it (Ukegbu, Mezie- obi, Ajileye, Abdulrahaman & Anyaocha, 2009). It is a concept used to ascertain the status of individual who possesses full political and legal rights in a state and his contribution to national development (Ngbendim, Okeke & Njoku, n.d). Ac- cording to Oyovbaire, Ogunna, Amucheazi, Coker & Oshuntuyi (1991) citizenship is the special status which is accorded to citizens by the state. Citizenship is the benefits associated with being a legal and political member of the society which may better be enjoyed by effective and efficient citizens. Citi- zens are the political, economic and social members of the so- ciety or state (Oyovbaire, et al, 1991). They could be referred to the legal, political and social members of the society who enjoy political, economic, social and legal benefits in the state as they keep their duties and/ or obligations to the state. Citi- zens’ duties and/ or obligations are the responsibilities any legal and political members of the state should or must keep to maintain continual existence of the state and to enhance national development. Efficient and effective citizens and citi- zenships are required for national development. To produce effective and efficient citizens for national development, citi- zenship training is required. Citizenship training can be referred to as citizenship educa- tion. According to Ikwumelu (1994) citizenship education is the type of education that transforms a person into a citi- zen. The implication of this is that citizenship training incul- cates in a citizen right kind of values or orientation towards contributing to national development. It aims at inculcating through practical exercises such qualities as public spirited-