Abstract

This paper examines cultural pluralism, reconstructive education and nation building in Nigeria. The objective is to present the Nigeria case where cultural diversity and differences play major role in the life of the people. Thus, the paper highlights the Nigeria Federation as being hobbled by centrifugal tendencies and activities based on her ethnic grouping and consciousness. In this direction, it provides the problems and also addresses the problem of cultural pluralism that would ensure unity within diversity for a strong, united, virile and democratic society in Nigeria. The paper suggests the way forward that would ensure social integration which is crucial for peace and the development of people and societies in Nigeria. It concludes that to promote national integration, peace and social justice in Nigeria would require the commonly yielding values that hold Nigeria together as a nation. And this is Nigeria rating system expressed in a symbolic way. It recommends civic or reconstructive education to promote the much needed values for nation building which would require a global initiative, and to be promoted by the United Nations under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (U.N.E.S.C.O). This would help address the problems of pan Nigeria values.

Key words: Cultural – pluralism, reconstructive education, nation building.