This book serves as an introduction to the principles, practices and problems of management in school systems and educational administration in Nigeria. The author draws on practical experience and theoretical knowledge to assemble a manual for educational administrators, teachers, teacher-trainers and trainees, and readers with a general interest in the debates of education and its course in Nigeria. The contents include: what constitutes management; Nigeria's educational scene/structure; educational management problems; decision making models and planning; student services; school discipline; personnel administration; financing the school system; leadership; curriculum development; the teacher in the school system; and the tasks ahead.

Originally published in 1974, a comprehensive history of Nigerian Education, from early times right through to the time of publication, had long been needed by all concerned with Education in Nigeria, students, teachers and educational administrators. No one was better qualified than Professor Fafunwa to provide such a book, and in doing so he gave due emphasis to the beginnings of Education in its three main stages of indigenous, Muslim and Christian Education. Nigerian Education had been considered all too often as a comparatively recent phenomenon, but this book points out from the start that ‘Education is as old as Man himself in Africa’ and that both Islam and Christianity were comparative newcomers in the field. A historical treatment of these three strands which have combined to make up the modern Educational system was vital to a clear understanding of what was needed for the future, and most of the first half of the book is concerned with these Educational beginnings. The imposing of a foreign colonial system on this framework did not always lead to a happy fusion of the systems, and the successes and the failures are examined in detail. There was no shortage of documentary evidence in the form of reports and statistics during the decades prior to publication, but this evidence was frequently scattered and inaccessible to the student, so that the author’s careful selection of key evidence and reports, often drawn from his own personal experience, will be invaluable for those wishing to trace the development of Education in Nigeria up to the early 1970s. A knowledge of the history and development of the Nigerian Education system, of the numerous and intensely varied personalities and beliefs which have combined and often conflicted to shape it, is indispensable to all students in colleges and universities studying to become teachers. It is this knowledge that Professor Fafunwa set out to provide, drawing on his wide experience as teacher writer and educationalist.

This book, Education in Nigeria: Reflections and Global Perspectives, provides a broad overview of education in Nigeria. It recognizes the vital role education plays in the development of Nigeria and has attempted to air the concerns and call of the Nigerian public as well as educators for reform in the educational system in Nigeria. The book further recognizes that Nigerian education continues to be evolved, first into a system of Western European education and then into a global system of education. It attempts to examine the status of education in Nigeria and thereby seeks solutions by exploring Nigeria’s and global historical perspectives, current trends, and future directions regarding students and learning, teachers and teaching, the school curriculum, and administration of schools. It is expected that the comprehensive nature of the text will be beneficial to individuals in teacher preparation programs as well as those who plan to work with children in pre-kindergarten (nursery) through secondary settings. The chapter content of the book focuses on the variation of thought as to the principal objectives of educators to help students in Nigeria develop habits, skills and ideas, and help them to think. It adds to the importance of providing education to all, especially at the time when Nigeria is frankly making an effort to affirm democracy. For any nation to be truly democratic, it must maintain an educated electorate. Education prepares people to make informed decisions that affect the society. All children in Nigeria should, therefore, receive an education to prepare them to become effective members of the world society. This book seeks to examine and reflect on education in Nigeria and globally.