Project – Role of christian missionaries in shaping early formal education in Nigeria

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background to The Study

The role of Christian missionaries in shaping early formal education in Nigeria has been extensively documented, highlighting their profound influence on the educational landscape of the country. Early forms of education in pre-colonial Nigeria were primarily informal, with knowledge being passed down through oral traditions and apprenticeships. However, the arrival of European Christian missionaries in the 19th century marked a pivotal moment in the development of formal education in Nigeria. According to Fafunwa (1974), the missionaries played a central role in introducing Western education to Nigeria, which was initially aimed at evangelizing and spreading Christianity. Their educational efforts were often intertwined with religious goals, and they established schools that provided both religious and academic instruction. As a result, the missionaries were instrumental in laying the foundation for Nigeria’s modern educational system.

The missionary-driven education system in Nigeria was structured around the establishment of schools, both in urban and rural areas, which focused on basic literacy, numeracy, and Christian teachings. These schools often began as informal gatherings under trees or in missionary compounds, but gradually evolved into more structured institutions. According to Adeyemi (2005), the first formal schools were set up by the Church Missionary Society (CMS) in Lagos in 1843, marking the beginning of Western-style schooling in Nigeria. Missionaries, primarily from the Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Protestant denominations, were responsible for much of the education during the colonial period. Their schools not only provided religious instruction but also taught the English language, which became the official language of Nigeria after British colonial rule.

The educational system established by missionaries emphasized the importance of reading the Bible, which was central to their Christian mission. A major contribution of missionaries to Nigerian education was the translation of the Bible into indigenous languages, facilitating the spread of Christianity and literacy. As Smith (1980) notes, by the early 20th century, missionaries had translated the Bible into several Nigerian languages, including Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa. This effort helped to promote literacy among indigenous people and allowed for the dissemination of Christian teachings in a more accessible form. Missionaries also established teacher training schools, which aimed to train local teachers who would later become key players in the spread of education in the country.

Despite the positive contributions made by Christian missionaries to the educational system in Nigeria, their approach was not without criticism. Some scholars argue that the missionary education system was Eurocentric and sought to impose Western values and culture on the indigenous population. According to Ojo (1991), the educational curricula promoted by missionaries were often alien to local traditions and ways of life. For example, the emphasis on Western literature, science, and history marginalized indigenous knowledge systems and languages. In addition, the missionaries’ focus on religious instruction sometimes led to the suppression of indigenous spiritual practices and cultural identities. While missionary schools were often seen as a means of upward mobility for some Nigerians, others viewed them as tools of cultural imperialism.

The legacy of missionary education in Nigeria has had lasting effects on the country’s educational system. Many of the institutions founded by missionaries, such as the CMS Grammar School in Lagos and St. Gregory’s College in Ikoyi, have remained prominent educational establishments in Nigeria. As Nwagwu (2008) highlights, these schools laid the groundwork for Nigeria’s post-colonial education system, contributing to the development of a literate and educated elite. Furthermore, the missionary education system influenced the establishment of public education in Nigeria, as the British colonial government later adopted many of the missionary schools as part of the formal education system. Missionaries also played a significant role in advocating for education among women and marginalized groups, helping to promote the idea that education should be accessible to all.

In conclusion, Christian missionaries played a central role in shaping the early formal education system in Nigeria. While their primary motivation was often religious, their educational initiatives laid the foundation for modern schooling in the country. The schools established by missionaries promoted literacy, numeracy, and the English language, which became essential tools for social mobility and participation in the colonial economy. However, their education system was not without its challenges, including accusations of cultural imperialism and the marginalization of indigenous knowledge. Nevertheless, the legacy of missionary education in Nigeria remains an important part of the country’s educational history, shaping its modern educational system and its ongoing development.

 

 

1.2. Statement of the Problem

The introduction of formal education in Nigeria can be traced back to the efforts of Christian missionaries in the 19th century. While their contributions to the development of education in the country are widely acknowledged, the full extent of their role, particularly in terms of shaping the modern Nigerian education system, remains a subject of ongoing debate. Christian missionaries established schools in Nigeria primarily for religious purposes, with the intent of evangelizing and spreading Christianity. However, their schools inadvertently became key institutions in the development of formal education in the region. The problem lies in understanding the nature of this relationship between missionary activities and the establishment of formal education structures, and the implications of this historical development for Nigeria’s educational policies and practices in the present day.

Although missionaries were instrumental in introducing Western-style education, there is limited understanding of the broader consequences of their educational agenda. Scholars have pointed out that missionary schools often adhered to Western curricula that were not necessarily in harmony with indigenous educational traditions and knowledge systems. For instance, Fafunwa (1974) observed that the missionary education system, which emphasized reading and writing in English, sidelined local languages and indigenous knowledge. The question that remains largely unexplored is how this imposition of Western educational models affected the socio-cultural identity of the Nigerian people and whether it contributed to the erosion of indigenous educational practices. The challenge is to assess whether missionary education was a tool of cultural imperialism or whether it provided a transformative experience for the people of Nigeria.

Another critical aspect of the problem is the relationship between missionary education and the accessibility of education to different segments of Nigerian society. While missionary schools were established in various parts of Nigeria, their reach and impact were often uneven. Missionary education tended to be concentrated in urban areas and often focused on training a small elite, which was more likely to assimilate into the colonial system. Conversely, rural communities, especially those far from missionary stations, were often excluded from the formal education system. There is a gap in understanding the extent to which the missionary education system reached the rural populations and whether it contributed to widening social inequalities. Furthermore, the role of missionaries in promoting or hindering female education remains under-explored, as traditional gender roles sometimes conflicted with missionary objectives to promote education for women.

A significant issue that complicates the understanding of the missionaries’ role in education is the dual purpose of their educational mission: evangelism and academic instruction. While missionary schools provided formal education, they were often closely intertwined with religious instruction, and the two were not easily separable. This religious undercurrent of missionary education raises questions about the secularization of education in post-colonial Nigeria. The blending of religion and education in early Nigerian schools led to a system where Christian teachings were often prioritized, which, in turn, may have shaped the moral and ethical outlook of early Nigerian educated elites. What remains unclear is the long-term impact of this religious infusion in shaping the educational ideals and practices in contemporary Nigerian schools, where secular education has become the norm.

Moreover, the missionary role in shaping early formal education has important implications for the structure and content of the education system in post-colonial Nigeria. While many of the institutions founded by missionaries have evolved into prominent educational establishments, there is insufficient analysis of how these schools influenced Nigeria’s national education policies. Missionary schools, which were often elitist and influenced by colonial frameworks, may have inadvertently perpetuated a system that prioritized English-language proficiency and Western academic models over local knowledge and indigenous languages. The problem, therefore, is to determine how the colonial education system, built on the foundations of missionary education, has contributed to ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s educational development, such as an overemphasis on Western curricula and the marginalization of indigenous educational frameworks.

Finally, the role of Christian missionaries in the education of women and marginalized groups in Nigeria requires further exploration. Missionaries did contribute to the education of women, but there were significant barriers, including cultural attitudes and institutional structures, that limited their reach. Despite these challenges, missionaries were often at the forefront of advocating for women’s education, as evidenced by the establishment of girls’ schools in certain parts of Nigeria. The problem lies in assessing the impact of missionary efforts on gender equality in education and determining the extent to which their educational initiatives contributed to the empowerment of women in Nigerian society. There is a need for a more nuanced understanding of how missionaries balanced their religious motives with their educational goals, particularly in the context of gender and social equity.

The role of Christian missionaries in shaping early formal education in Nigeria presents a complex and multifaceted problem. While they laid the foundation for formal schooling, their educational objectives were intertwined with religious and cultural agendas that sometimes conflicted with indigenous traditions. Furthermore, the scope and impact of missionary education, especially in terms of gender and rural access, remain inadequately explored. This study seeks to fill these gaps by examining how missionary education influenced the development of Nigeria’s modern education system, with particular focus on its socio-cultural implications, accessibility, and long-term consequences for educational policies in post-colonial Nigeria.

1.3. Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to examine the role of christian missionaries in shaping early formal education in Nigeria. The specific objectives are:

1. To examine the historical background of Christian missionary activities in Nigeria.
2. To analyze the specific contributions of Christian missionaries to the establishment of schools and educational infrastructure in Nigeria.
3. To assess the influence of Christian missionary teachings and values on the curriculum and educational practices in early formal education in Nigeria.
4. To investigate the challenges and controversies faced by Christian missionaries in their efforts to promote education in Nigeria.

1.4. Research Questions

The research questions are buttressed below:

1. What is the historical background of Christian missionary activities in Nigeria?
2. What are the specific contributions of Christian missionaries to the establishment of schools and educational infrastructure in Nigeria?
3. How did Christian missionary teachings and values influence the curriculum and educational practices in early formal education in Nigeria?
4. What challenges and controversies did Christian missionaries face in their efforts to promote education in Nigeria?

1.5. Research Hypothesis

The hypothetical statement of the study is buttressed below:

Ho: Christian missionary teachings and values have no impact on the curriculum and educational practices in early formal education in Nigeria.

H1: Christian missionary teachings and values have impact on the curriculum and educational practices in early formal education in Nigeria.

1.6. Significance of the Study

The significance of this study lies in its potential to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pivotal role that Christian missionaries played in the development of early formal education in Nigeria. Historically, Christian missionaries were among the first groups to establish educational institutions in the region, setting the foundation for formal schooling systems. By exploring their contributions, this research can shed light on the origins of Nigeria’s educational system, revealing the methods, goals, and challenges that missionaries faced in bringing education to the country. Understanding this historical context is essential for appreciating how the Nigerian education system evolved and how it was influenced by foreign religious and cultural forces.

This study also highlights the intersection of religion, culture, and education in colonial and pre-colonial Nigeria. Christian missionaries not only introduced literacy and academic curricula but also embedded Western values and religious teachings within the educational framework. The significance of this lies in understanding the extent to which education, as introduced by the missionaries, was not neutral but was shaped by religious and colonial agendas. By examining the educational models promoted by missionaries, the research can provide insights into how these institutions influenced the social, moral, and cultural fabric of early Nigerian society, affecting generations of Nigerians in profound ways.

Furthermore, the study is significant because it explores the long-lasting impact of missionary education on Nigeria’s national development. The early schools established by Christian missionaries produced educated Nigerians who later contributed to the political, economic, and social development of the country. By training the first Nigerian professionals, educators, and leaders, missionary schools played an instrumental role in the emergence of an educated elite that would later lead the nation to independence. Understanding the legacy of missionary education can also help to trace the origins of educational disparities in Nigeria, as some regions were more exposed to missionary schooling than others, creating regional inequalities that persist today.

The research also contributes to a broader understanding of the dynamics between colonizers and indigenous populations, particularly in the context of education. While missionaries played a role in the spread of Christianity, their educational efforts were often intertwined with colonial objectives, including the promotion of European values and the subjugation of indigenous knowledge systems. This dual role of missionaries—both as agents of colonialism and as providers of education—offers a nuanced perspective on the complexities of early educational practices in Nigeria. By examining these tensions, the study can offer insights into how colonial powers used education as a tool for control, while also considering the ways in which indigenous populations adapted to, resisted, or embraced missionary education.

Additionally, this study is significant because it highlights the challenges faced by Christian missionaries in establishing formal education in Nigeria. The process of introducing Western-style education in a diverse and culturally rich country like Nigeria was fraught with difficulties. Missionaries had to navigate linguistic barriers, cultural differences, and resistance from traditional African institutions. Understanding these challenges helps contextualize the methods employed by missionaries to overcome them, such as the translation of religious texts into local languages, the recruitment of indigenous teachers, and the adaptation of curricula to better suit local needs. The resilience and adaptability of missionaries in the face of these challenges provide valuable lessons in the history of educational development in post-colonial Africa.

Finally, the study’s significance extends to contemporary discussions about the role of religious organizations in education today. The historical role of Christian missionaries in shaping Nigeria’s educational system offers important lessons for understanding the ongoing influence of religious institutions in Nigerian education. With the continued presence of Christian schools and universities in Nigeria, there is a direct link between the missionary education system and current educational practices. This research can inform debates about the role of private versus public education in Nigeria, the balance between religious and secular curricula, and the evolving role of religion in shaping the educational landscape in modern Nigeria. In this way, the study offers both historical insight and practical implications for current educational policy and practice.

1.7. Scope of the Study

The study examines the role of christian missionaries in shaping early formal education in Nigeria. The study is exploratory research.

 

1.8. Operational Definition of Terms

1. Role: In the context of this study, “role” refers to the specific function, responsibility, or influence that Christian missionaries had in the development of formal education in Nigeria. It denotes the active participation and impact that missionaries had in introducing and shaping educational practices, institutions, and systems in the country during the colonial and post-colonial periods.
2. Christian Missionaries: Christian missionaries are individuals or groups sent by Christian organizations or churches to spread the Christian faith and establish religious and social services, including education. In the case of Nigeria, missionaries from European countries (particularly Britain, Portugal, and Spain) arrived in the 19th century and played a significant role in founding the first formal schools, often alongside their religious work. They were responsible for the introduction of Western-style education and the promotion of literacy, often teaching reading, writing, arithmetic, and Christian doctrine.
3. Shaping: “Shaping” refers to the process of influencing or determining the development or form of something. In the context of this study, shaping means how Christian missionaries influenced the structure, content, and philosophy of early formal education in Nigeria. They helped determine what was taught, the curriculum used, and the values embedded in the educational systems they created, which in turn shaped the educational experiences of early Nigerians.
4. Early Formal Education: “Early formal education” refers to the initial stages of structured, institutionalized education, which is distinct from informal or traditional learning. This type of education typically involves a standardized curriculum, classrooms, teachers, and set schedules. In Nigeria, early formal education was largely introduced by Christian missionaries, who established the first schools and institutions in the 19th and early 20th centuries, often focused on literacy, religious teachings, and basic academic subjects like mathematics and history.

 

Project – Role of christian missionaries in shaping early formal education in Nigeria