MORAL EDUCATION AND STUDENT CHARACTER FORMATION IN NIGERIAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Abstract

This paper examines how moral and values education has been integrated into Nigerian secondary school curricula and evaluates its effectiveness for student character formation. It situates the discussion within Nigeria’s National Policy on Education and the National Values/Religion & National Values curricula, reviews empirical studies on implementation and outcomes, analyses structural and pedagogical challenges, and offers practical recommendations for strengthening values education. Evidence suggests that while policy frameworks and dedicated curricula exist, implementation gaps including resource constraints, teacher preparedness, overcrowded curricula, and weak school-home-community linkages limit effectiveness. A multi-stakeholder, whole-school approach, supported by targeted teacher training, curricular realignment, assessment reform, and community partnerships, is proposed to improve character formation outcomes.