Journal of Education and Human Development

Nigeria’s Image Crisis and Lessons from Obafemi Awolowo’s Leadership and Education Ideologies
Akinjide Aboluwodi

Abstract
Nigeria’s image crisis arose primarily from the rejection of those values that defined the communal identity in pre-colonial Nigeria. Such values as contentment, respect for constituted authority, humility, hard work, and selflessness which explained the ethics of social relations in pre-colonial society lost their relevance. By their actions, individuals began to question the sanctity of these values leading to the reconstruction of social practices which served as the basis for social relations in the pre-colonial societies. Individuals’ craving for material possession soon replaced selfless service, and the effects inevitably are corrupt and fraudulent practices, an act that produced negative perception for the state. It was this negative perception that the state had been trying to change through the rebranding project. This project involved the use of jingles and rallies, mobilisations, articles in national and internal journals and other means of communication. There may be need to explore Awolowo’s leadership ideologies on governance, for effective prosecution. These leadership ideologies rest on the theory of mental magnitude that espouses the principles of selfless service, accountability, transparency and humility in governance. When such ideologies are combined with relevant educational practice we can be sure of an improved image for the country.

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