Arab Islamic culture and educational systems in Yoruba region of Nigeria - Forward-looking vision

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The establishment of the Islamic State in Sokoto, Nigeria, in the early 19th century has effectively affected the revival of Arab-Islamic culture in Nigeria. Where Islam was able to spread with Arabic language which, was been learnt in order to read and understand the Quran and Sunnah. Islam was not confined to the official religion in Nigeria like other religions but it became a culture and a thought. The Islamic religion has therefore been associated with education and, has reached the attention of the Muslims of Nigeria to this culture, so that, there are centres and institutions in which the Arabic language and Islamic culture are been taught. However, many of these centres and institutions have been based on individual initiatives by charitable associations and foundations from outside Nigeria also some philanthropists and scholars from Nigeria. But these centres and institutions were not subjected to a central educational authority and went without a recognized scientific reference, in addition to the curriculum problems that the Arabic language and Islamic culture systems in Nigeria suffer from.In the light of the above, the need for the current research is considered crucial; in order to identify the problems facing the Arabic language and Islamic culture in the western part of Nigeria (Yoruba land), and to forward some remedy suggestions to these problems. This paper will address the following themes: History of Arabic language and Islamic culture in Nigeria. The Arabic language educational systems in the Western part of Nigeria. Problems of Arabic language and Islamic culture education in the Western part of Nigeria. Proposed recommendations that would have a positive impact on the improvement of Arabic language and Islamic culture education in Nigeria.