UNDERGRADUATE SOCIAL STUDIES PUPILS’ DISCERNMENT OF POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION FOR ENLISTMENT AND PARTICIPATION IN DEMOCRATIC PROCEDURE IN NIGERIA  

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to assess the undergraduate Social Studies students‟ perception of Political Socialization for mobilization and participation in democratic process in Nigeria. The study was focused on finding out the extent to which the knowledge of political socialization gained in social studies courses can enhance the mobilization of the undergraduate social studies students to effectively participate in democratic process in Nigeria. This is due to the fact that Nigeria democracy since its inception has not actually defined its real meaning and this can be attributed to ethnoreligious differences. Five objectives were set to be achieved, five research questions were raised and five null hypotheses were equally formulated. Some related literature such as the liberal theory of democracy, social studies concepts, political socialization, mobilization and participation, democracy, political parties and some related empirical studies were reviewed. The study was a descriptive survey. Three Federal Universities were purposefully sampled from the Federal Universities in Nigeria, where 301 respondents, made up of 300 and 400 levels undergraduate social studies students, were randomly selected with the use of simple random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The instrument was divided into sections A, B, C, D, E, and F with a total of 55 items. Section A covers the bio data of respondents while the other sections cover items on political socialization in achieving mobilization and participation in democratic process. With the help of two research assistants, 301 copies of the questionnaire were retrieved, coded and analyzed using the descriptive statistics which involved frequencies and percentage for the bio-data and other variables, while the mean, standard deviation was used to answer research questions. The inferential statistics involved the answering of research questions and testing of the null hypotheses. The analysis was done with the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) in the analysis of data and testing of the hypotheses. Hypotheses i, iii and v were analyzed through the use of an independent t-test while hypotheses ii and iv were tested with oneway Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 0.05 level of significant. The result of the findings revealed that to a higher extent, political socialization enhances mobilization and participation in democratic process among the undergraduate Social Studies Students of Federal Universities in Nigeria. This implies that exposure to political socialization prompts the students to mobilization and participation in democratic process. In the light of the findings, recommendations were made among which are, Content areas of social studies curriculum that deals with the aspects of political socialization should be compacted into a unit to be taught as a course of its own and that Political socialization as a course should be made compulsory for all undergraduate students so that it will benefit those from other disciplines.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

        1.1       Background to the study

Social Studies Education is a discipline which promotes political awareness,

consciousness and participation of students through its curricular and co-curricular activities with the aim of creating effective and practical political culture. This will reduce the multitude of negative factors that have hitherto characterized the Nigerian society today, thereby giving a negative meaning to democracy. Social studies is a discipline that make us search, examine and observe how man is being influenced by the environment which designate as social, historical, physical, cultural, political and economic (Irikana andIbeh 2014). It could be summed up that social studies is a field of study that deals with the integration of knowledge, experience and effective use of resources for the purpose of citizenship education.

Furthermore,Irikanaand Ibeh (2014) see social studies as that aspect of learning which deals with how to get on (get along) with one‟s environment, physical as well as human, and how to develop these skills, knowledge, attitudes and values that characterizes a responsible citizen in a free society. Social studies education sees man as a political being. Man is a political animal who make laws and administers same for peaceful co-existence in his environment (Ebirim and Edi, 2014). They added that man is either a leader or a follower and this makes him enjoy maximum security and organization of his environment.

The meaning and objectives of social studies differs from one country to another. In

Nigeria, the objectives of social studies are tied to the objectives and goals of the Nigerian education system according to Danladi andJarimi (2011), among which are development of good citizenship, upliftment of moral character and the promotion of social understanding in the society. Akinola (2014) says that social studies curriculum is concerned with the production of responsible citizens at all areas of human endeavours and the civic education component of social studies aims at inculcating democratic values. Social studies have the tendency of political socialization which can bring about national consciousness and unity.

Political socialization is very important, especially in a country like Nigeria with multicultural and different religious groups. According to Adekeye (2000), Political Socialization involves the process of learning the acceptable political attitudes and behavior in both formal and informal settings. In the words of Odeemelam and Aisien (2013) political socialization is a process by which political ideas of any given society are internalized and transmitted from one generation to the other. In other words, political socialization is the vehicle through which political culture emerges.  Political socialization can be acquired through the family, peer group, mass and social media, political parties, pressure group, religious groups and the school. The school is an important agent of socialization as it increases political awareness, interest and communication, which could determine the basis of effective and evaluation orientation to the society. The school provides experience skills, which in turn makes individual political self (Daniel, 2015).

There is a great need to politically socialize the citizens of Nigeria as it is a lifelong process and a variety of individuals and institutions contribute to its shaping effect. Political socialization should start during the child‟s early education which is the primary school to the higher education level. This is because politics is a continues activity in our society, so the children should be given that orientation so that in future as they get to the age of participation, they will fit in very well. Olasupo (2015) stated that many political observers have traditionally concentrated on the family as the major socializing agent, finding that political discussion within the home, parental voter turnout, and political resources significantly impact political participation in young adulthood. He added that during adolescence citizens learn about their democratic responsibilities and also acquire political attitudes that translate into adult political behavior and opinions. The Nigerian society is made up of diverse ethnic and religious entity; our differences in culture have affected our ways of political socialization so badly. Culture could be seen as that complex which includes knowledge, beliefs, art, moral, law, customs and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of the society (Taylor, 2000). Marital status of citizens have also affected their political behaviour. According to Anyanwu (2013), marital status is important in development economics and demographic literature. This statement can equally be applied to politics, in most cases, marries people especially the women do not see the importance of participating in political activities. This could be due to their family responsibilities.

Nigeria is said to be the largest and most populated black race in the world. Nigeria consists of multi-religious groups which includes different traditional religions, Christianity and Islam. The above statement is in line with opinions of Akuma and Adigun (2006) in

Onuora (2014) which stated that, “Nigeria is the most populous African state and one of the world most ethnically diverse societies, been made up of over 250 ethno-linguistic groups”. Nigeria was created in 1914 by Fredrick Lord Lugard, when he amalgamated the protectorate of the Northern and Southern Nigeria. Nigeria as a name was derived from the river „Niger area‟ and was proposed by Miss Flora Shaw in as article she had written as a press correspondent to „The Time‟ in January, 1897, fourteen years before the amalgamation (Onuora, 2014).Before the creation of Nigeria, there existed the various ethnic communities. According to Kadiri, Ololobou, Ahmed and Zuru (2012), in Northern part, we have the Hausa city states that were later forcefully merged together by the Jihad of

Usman Danfodio to become Sokoto caliphate, there were also Brono empire headed by the El-Kanemi, Kwarrarrafa headed by the Aku-Uka of Wukari which was referred to by some historian as the Jukun kingdom, also a lot of chieftain like Atta of Igala, Etsu of Nupe, Ebira kingdom etc. Also in the Southern part of Nigeria, there exist well established settlements, for example, the Oyo Empire headed by the Alafin of Oyo, Benin kingdom headed by the Oba of Benin, the Niger Delta areas headed by the Amanyanabo. The Igbo leadership was headed by council of Elders and village assembles. There were so many reasons that led to the establishment of these communities both in the north and in the south. They are internal and external factors such as agricultural productivity, participation of internal and external trading activities for home both trans-Atlantic and trans Sahara slave trades and other commodities, the provision of security by the existing government, the traditional culture loyalty and the local communication (Kadiri, Ololobou, Ahmed and Zulu, 2012).

The     various     kingdoms     and     communities     were     well     established     and

independent.Each culture with its ways of worship (religion). According to Onuora (2014), the Igbo race within the south-east was strictly under democratic rule, while Hausa/Fulani race was ruled by the system of Oligarchy. He asserts that these different ruling methods which were merged together created a lot of problems and the worse of it all was the merging of two competing religion (Islam and Christianity) inherently existing in different area with the already existing traditional religion, coupled with the multi-populous nature of the country has made and continued to make both positive and negative impacts on the democratic governance of this great country Nigeria.

Democracy could be seen as the government of the people for the people and by the people. This means a government chosen by the people for the interest of the people.  The people should actively and effectively participate in their own government through the establishment of democratic institutions (Omooba, Obi and Olabobe, 2008). Democracy is based on public assent. It started in Nigeria long before independence in 1960 so are its problems.  In Nigeria, ethnicity, statism, personality clash, unpatriotic leadership and followership, unemployment, bribery, corruption and a host of other factors are essential expression of democratic challenges confronting the country (Ezegbe and Akubue, 2013).After independence in 1960, Nigeria had the intention to run a full democratic government, but military dictatorship unfortunately sprang up through coup and took more than 30 years of the country‟s 57 years of existence as an independent nation. Nevertheless, Nigeria today is considered a democratic nation, having held uninterrupted general elections for five republic of four years tenure each as thus: 1999 and 2003 with Chief Olusegun

Obasanjo as president, 2007 with Late Dr. Umaru Musa Yar‟adua as president, 2011 with Dr. GoodluckEbele Jonathan as president and 2015 with Muhammad Buhari emerging as president.

Democracy in Nigeria needs to be reformed, because the manners with which elections are conducted in our society are based on ethnic and religious sentiment. Almost every government in Nigeria after the civil war, being themselves products of some forms of ethnicity, have not been able to overcome the contradictions and build a meritocratic democratic system (Igwe, 2008 in Ezegbe and Akubue, 2013). They further stated that, judging from the above assertion, one may rightly say that no true democracy can prevail in a nation where political actors or leaders are propelled and influenced by ethnic sentiment. Therefore, this research will find out whether the knowledge of political socialization offered at various levels of undergraduate social studies courses do mobilize citizens of Nigeria to participate in democratic process. This is because, social studies is a subject that is aimed at inculcating effectively, political culture, democratic values, social stability and equality, patriotism and practical knowledge of the rule of law. These are transmitted to social studies undergraduate students through courses like Nation building, Nigeria political life, Element of Government to mention but a few.

        1.2       Statement of the problem

This research is to assess the undergraduate social studies students‟ perception of political socialization, and how the knowledge of political socialization from social studies can be used to mobilize the Nigerian citizens to participate without chaos in democratic process. In Nigerian society, political socialization is yet to reflect what is obtainable in

Western advanced liberal democracies as typified by the United States of America and Britain. This is against the backdrop that political socialization by political parties, the media, pressure groups, peers, religious institutions, and even some educational progremmes have not encouraged public support for basic political structures, institutions and symbols of the political systems. It is obvious that appropriate political culture such as attitudes, beliefs, values, norm that are supportive of Nigeria‟s political power system is yet to be evolved. Most of these agents of political socialization in Nigerian society have

“manifesto” that are not philosophically and ideologically tailored and this phenomena has resulted to lack of sense of direction. Consequently, they are believed to be responsible for the problem of democracy.

True democracy can be obtained through credible, free and fair election, but in Nigeria elections are characterized by fraud, influenced by numerous unlawful actions by some politicians. Falade (2014) stated that Nigeria political activities and transition programmes have been marked with turbulence, uncertainties and violence. Right from the First Republic, the Nigerian politics has been characterized by greed, love of power, violence, assassination, thuggery and election rigging. The same political leaders who took an oath to protect the constitution of the country and to adhere to free and fair electoral process, turned against the country‟s moral values for the sake of staying in power. They organize some politically un-socialized youths as thugs for ballot snatching, stuffing of ballot boxes, voter‟s intimidation and bribery and violent during election. This is because the politicians desire to hold on to power so that political leaders and office bearers can accumulate wealth by mismanagement and abuse of power. They created violence and boosted unethical attitudes in the Nigerian electoral process, thereby contaminating the society. According to Okpi (2011), although the national assembly election held on Saturday, April 9, 2011 has been appraised by many as successful, some cases of malpractices and violence recorded across the country threaten to dim the light on democratic progress.

The problem of this research hinges on the fact that many socializing agents have been used by various Nigerian institutions in order to orient her citizen on the need to imbibe political culture for sustainable democracy. This has not really worked as Nigerian democracy still suffers a lot of crises. Therefore, there is the need for functional education where these values can be inculcated to the citizens through Social Studies Education. The Social Studies objectives which stated the inculcation of social norms, promotion of civil awareness and provision of political learning assist in transformation of Nigeria political socialization. Also, Social Studies Education aimed towards achieving the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains of educational objectives. The researcher want to ascertain whether the undergraduate social studies students, who have been inculcated with the knowledge of political socialization through various social studies courses are in agreement or disagreement with whether this knowledge can help in the mobilization and participation of Nigerian citizens in democratic process.

1.3       Objectives of the study.

The study assessed the perception of the undergraduate Social Studies students of Federal Universities on political socialization for mobilization and participation in democratic process in Nigeria. More specifically, this study is out to achieve the following objectives, based on the perception of the undergraduate social studies students in Federal Universities.

1. To assess the undergraduate Social Studies students‟ perception of political socialization formobilization and participation in voter‟s registration in Nigeria. ii. To assess the undergraduate Social Studies students‟ perception of political socialization for mobilization and participation incontesting for elective offices in Nigeria.

• To assess theundergraduate Social Studies students‟ perception of political socialization for mobilization and participation in actual voting process in

Nigeria.

1. To assess theundergraduate Social Studies students‟ perception of political socialization formobilization against involvement in electoral violations in Nigeria.
2. To assess theundergraduate Social Studies students‟ perception of political socialization for mobilization and participation in political campaign in Nigeria.

1.4 Research questions

The study intends to answer the following questions:

1. To what extent doespolitical socialization based on the perception of undergraduate Social Studies studentsof Federal Universities enhance

mobilization and participation in voter‟s registration in Nigeria?

1. Does the knowledge of political socialization from the perception of undergraduate Social Studies studentsof Federal Universitiesenhance citizens‟ preparation to contest for elective offices in Nigeria?

• To what extent does the knowledge of political socializationbased on the perception of undergraduate Social Studies studentsof Federal Universities enhance political mobilization and participation in actual voting process in Nigeria?

1. Does the knowledge of political socialization based on the perception of undergraduate Social Studies Studentsof Federal Universities help in the mobilizationagainst involving in electoral violations in Nigeria?
2. Does the knowledge of political socializationbased on the perception of undergraduate Social Studies Students of Federal Universities enhance mobilization and participation in political campaign in Nigeria?

        1.5        Research hypotheses

The study will test the following null hypotheses:

1. There is no significant difference between the opinion of male and female undergraduate Social Studies Students of Federal Universities that political socializationenhances mobilization and participation in voter‟s registration in Nigeria.
2. There is no significant difference in the opinion ofundergraduate Social Studies Students of Federal Universities that political socialization enhances citizen‟s contesting for elective offices in Nigeria based on geopolitical zone.

• There is no significant difference between the opinion of 300 and 400 levels Social Studies Students of Federal Universities that political socialization enhances mobilization and participation in actual voting process in Nigeria. iv. There is no significant difference in the opinion ofundergraduate Social Studies Students of Federal Universities that political socialization enhances mobilization against involving in electoral violations in Nigeria based on University.

1. There is no significant difference between the opinion of married and single undergraduate Social Studies Students of Federal Universities that political socialization enhances mobilization and participation in political campaign in Nigeria.

        1.6       Significance of the study

This research work is of relevance to all citizens of Nigeria because everyone is affected by the poor democratic situation of our great nation. It will sensitize the citizens on their fundamental rights one of which is the right to vote and be voted for. Also they will be aware of their civic responsibilities which includes obedience to the rules and law of the land, irrespective of your statue in the society. This work will enlighten the people on the need to participate actively in democratic process when they have attained 18 years. The democratic processes are registration of voters, voting for candidate of your choice, contesting for political office, engaging in peaceful election campaign etc. This work will expose the danger of allowing selfish politicians to use our youths for electoral thuggery. It will help in the revitalization of political socialization as a separate course in social studies curriculum.

The study will help the social studies teachers and planners of social studies curriculum to understand the epistemology of social studies better, this will enable them to be able to pass the rudiments of the subject to the student effectively. The study will make learners through social studies education make a good living, and also become effective and patriotic citizens who will see the need to participate in democratic processes without chaos.

The study will equally be of relevance to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is responsible for the conduct of elections in Nigeria. It will enlighten them on the importance of actually being an independent non-partisan body, and will enable them conduct a free and fair election without fear or favour of any party, tribal groups, religious groups or an individual.   Department and students of political science will also benefit from this study, as it will help the department intensify effort on the political socialization course. It will also help them to take this knowledge to a higher level, not just acquiring the knowledge but also to develop that citizenship attitude that will enable the students to be mobilized for participation in democratic process. This study will serve as literature review for researchers who intend to work on similar problem. It will equally assist researchers to work in other locations of the country.

And for the law enforcement agencies such as the Nigerian police, Nigerian civil defence the Army, this study will assist them in making sure that law and order are maintained during voter‟s registration, political campaign, rally and voting process. Also, it will expose them to the importance of being non-partisan so as to prosecute electoral offenders without fear or favour of group or individual and having in mind the progress of our dear country

The study will help the National Orientation Agency (NOA) whose mandate is to inform, educate and enlighten Nigerians on government policies and programmes, mobilize mass support for government and all its activities and re-orientate Nigerians’ values that can engender national development. Through this study, the National Orientation Agency NOA will strive to sustain and deepen Nigeria’s democracy through political education.

The research work will assist the ministry of youth development to perform its functions effectively, these functions include, to formulate, monitor and review the National Youth Policy, to articulate relevant programmes of action for youth development, to coordinate youth and monitor youth development activities at the three levels of government and collaborating partners, to collaborate with all stakeholders for the funding of youth activities, to create opportunities for the youth to be involved in decision making process in matters that affect them, the environment and the society, to inculcate in the youth, human rights values, social justice, equity, fairness and gender equality. These can be achieved through its agencies which are National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre. This study will equally help the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in Nigeria to provide Nigerian citizens with “credible and timely information on government activities, programmes and initiatives” and to create the technological environment for Nigeria’s socio-economic development. It will also encourage the citizens to participate in democratic processes.

        1.7       Scope of the study

This research is on the perception of undergraduate social studies student of federal universities on the extent to which political socialization enhances mobilization and participation in democratic process in Nigeria. Therefore, the study covered all the federal universities in Nigeria that offer social studies at undergraduate level. Three of these universities were purposively sampled. This is because the researcher intends to touch the Northern, Eastern and the Western parts of the country, due to the fact that the problem under study has to do with all the Nigerian citizen and the use of simple random sampling can leave out some groups.

The selected schools are located in geopolitical zones with the various ethnic

groups, especially the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba who are regarded as the major tribes in Nigeria and the most sensitive groups when it comes to Nigerian politics. The 300 and 400 level students of three sampled federal universities namely Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka were used for the study, this is because they have undergone various courses in social studies that treat issues on political socialization and democratic process in the world, Africa and Nigeria in particular. With this knowledge, they will be able to respond to the items on the instrument for data collection effectively.

UNDERGRADUATE SOCIAL STUDIES PUPILS’ DISCERNMENT OF POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION FOR ENLISTMENT AND PARTICIPATION IN DEMOCRATIC PROCEDURE IN NIGERIA  

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