Physics Education as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Roles, Challenges and Future Directions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64348/zije.2026429Abstract
Sustainable development in Nigeria cannot be meaningfully pursued without deliberate investment in science and technology education. Among the science disciplines, physics education occupies a strategic and often underappreciated position because it provides the conceptual and practical foundation for technological innovation, industrial growth, renewable energy development, and scientific problem-solving. In a country grappling with energy shortages, youth unemployment, environmental pressures, and technological dependence, physics education offers pathways toward resilience and long-term national progress. This paper critically examines the role of physics education in advancing sustainable development in Nigeria. It argues that physics education must be viewed not merely as a school subject but as a transformative tool for building scientific literacy, promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening industrial capacity, and promoting environmental responsibility. The paper explores the ways in which physics education contributes to Nigeria’s development aspirations, analyzes the systemic barriers limiting its impact, and proposes strategic future directions. The paper recommend that repositioning physics education is essential for Nigeria’s transition into a sustainable, innovation-driven, and globally competitive society.
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