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Social Studies Education as A Tool for Community Resilience: Tackling The Spread of Banditry and Kidnapping in Nigeria
Subject area: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities · Area of research: Social Studies Education
Abstract
The escalation of banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria has created a climate of national anxiety, disrupted socio-economic stability, and damaged community cohesion. As policymakers struggle to manage the rapidly evolving security landscape, scholars increasingly argue that effective social reconstruction must begin in the classroom. Social Studies education long viewed as a discipline for citizenship, civic values, and nation-building offers a strategic pathway for strengthening community resilience and reducing criminal motivations. This article explores how Social Studies curriculum reform, value-based learning, civic competence, community engagement, and peace education can serve as preventative tools against violent crime. Using empirical and theoretical literature, the paper examines the socio-economic and historical origins of banditry and kidnapping, analyzes the gaps in Nigeria?s existing educational framework, and proposes a Social Studies?driven model for strengthening civic responsibility, community vigilance, ethical values, conflict mediation, and early-warning systems. The study concludes that a restructured Social Studies programme can help restore social trust, empower youths, counter radicalization, and support long-term national stability.
Keywords
Social Studies, Community Resilience, Banditry, Kidnapping, Nigeria, Curriculum Reform
References
[1] Adebayo, R. O. (2018). Civic education and the challenges of nation-building in Nigeria. Journal of Educational Review, 10(2), 45–57.
[2] Adeyemi, M. B. (2021). Citizenship education in African schools: Relevance and challenges. African Journal of Social Studies, 14(1), 12–28.
[3] Akinyetun, T. S. (2022). Analyzing the rise of banditry in Nigeria. Journal of African Security, 15(3), 203–221.
[4] Botha, A. (2021). Political kidnapping in Nigeria: A growing trend. Institute for Security Studies Papers, 326, 1–28.
[5] Falola, T. (1998). Violence in Nigeria: The crisis of religious politics and secular ideologies. University of Rochester Press.
[6] Ibrahim, J. (2020). The political economy of insecurity in Nigeria. Centre for Democracy and Development Report, 1–34.
[7] Mezieobi, K. A. (2012). Fundamentals of social studies education in Nigeria. Owerri: Acadapeak Publishers.
[8] National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). (2023). Unemployment and underemployment statistics.
[9] Nwanegbo, C. J., & Odigbo, J. (2013). Security and national development in Nigeria: The threat of Boko Haram. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 3(4), 285–291.
[10] National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS). (2020). College, career, and civic life (C3) framework for social studies state standards.
[11] Patel, S. S., Rogers, M. B., Amlôt, R., & Rubin, G. J. (2017). What is community resilience? International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 27, 128–133.
[12] UNESCO. (2019). Education for peacebuilding and resilience: Global review report.
How to cite this paper
@article{1712809,
author = {Dr. Akhogbai Emmanuel Monday Ph.D},
title = {Social Studies Education as A Tool for Community Resilience: Tackling The Spread of Banditry and Kidnapping in Nigeria},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2025},
volume = {9},
number = {6},
pages = {1113-1117},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1712809.pdf},
abstract = {The escalation of banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria has created a climate of national anxiety, disrupted socio-economic stability, and damaged community cohesion. As policymakers struggle to manage the rapidly evolving security landscape, scholars increasingly argue that effective social reconstruction must begin in the classroom. Social Studies education long viewed as a discipline for citizenship, civic values, and nation-building offers a strategic pathway for strengthening community resilience and reducing criminal motivations. This article explores how Social Studies curriculum reform, value-based learning, civic competence, community engagement, and peace education can serve as preventative tools against violent crime. Using empirical and theoretical literature, the paper examines the socio-economic and historical origins of banditry and kidnapping, analyzes the gaps in Nigeria?s existing educational framework, and proposes a Social Studies?driven model for strengthening civic responsibility, community vigilance, ethical values, conflict mediation, and early-warning systems. The study concludes that a restructured Social Studies programme can help restore social trust, empower youths, counter radicalization, and support long-term national stability.},
keywords = {Social Studies, Community Resilience, Banditry, Kidnapping, Nigeria, Curriculum Reform},
month = {December},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I6-1712809}
}