Quality Early Childhood Education: A Panacea for fostering Social Unity and Reduces the Menace of Insecurity Security in Nigeria

Abstract

Early Childhood Education (ECE) forms a fundamental stage of a child’s socio-psychological, physical and healthy development and in the long-run contributes immensely in the future growth and development of the child to adulthood. Therefore, the advocacy for adequate and equal accessibility of early childhood education to every child irrespective of socio-economic background, gender, race, religion or tribe has in recent times gained much attention across the globe. This is in-line with its associated positive impacts of ECE in shaping the cognitive, emotional, physical, social, and mental parts of a child. The truth that well trained child from birth tends to turn out more responsible citizen than those without adequate early childhood care and education is unarguably right. Early childhood education promotes a nation’s development in terms of qualified manpower and build strong national security. It reduces insecurity by reducing some risk factors that breed insecurity such as poverty, inequality, social unrest, drug abuse, unemployment, among others. This paper examines the early childhood education as a panacea in reducing insecurity in Nigeria. Some hiccups which hinder the effective implementation of early childhood education in Nigeria were unmasked which include poor involvement by the government, inadequate supervision, inadequate educational facilities, and poor-quality teachers. Lastly, the paper proffers some pragmatic measures that would strengthen the implementation of early childhood education as a development strategic in fighting and reducing insecurity in Nigeria.