Global Educational Research Journal

Christian Education and It's Impact on Ijaw Ethnic Group In Arogbo, ESE-ODO,Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the impact of Christian education on the socio-economic development of the Ijaw ethnic group in Arogbo, Ondo State, Nigeria. The study was necessitated by the recognition that Christian education has historically played an important role in the introduction and expansion of formal education, literacy, moral formation, leadership development, and community transformation in many Nigerian communities, including the Niger Delta and adjoining riverine settlements. However, despite the long-standing presence of Christian educational institutions, limited empirical attention has been given to their contemporary contribution to educational attainment, human capital development, economic empowerment, social values, cultural identity formation, and community development among the Ijaw people in Arogbo. The study adopted a descriptive research design. This involved 362 respondents comprising graduates of Christian schools, teachers, administrators, and other relevant members of the study population. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Christian Education and Socio-Economic Development Questionnaire (CESDQ). The quantitative data were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, means, standard deviations, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, and simple linear regression at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that respondents generally agreed that Christian education had contributed positively to educational attainment among the Ijaw ethnic group. Christian education was perceived to have improved literacy, increased access to formal education, encouraged academic excellence, and contributed to school enrolment. The study further established that Christian education had a significant positive impact on human capital development by promoting critical thinking, practical competencies, productivity, vocational skills, and leadership development. Similarly, Christian education was found to have a significant positive impact on economic empowerment and livelihood activities through improved employment opportunities, entrepreneurship, financial discipline, income generation, and poverty-reduction initiatives. It recommends stronger collaboration among government, churches, educational institutions, traditional authorities, and development organisations to improve educational infrastructure, expand scholarship opportunities, strengthen vocational and entrepreneurship programmes, preserve indigenous languages and cultural heritage, and increase church-led community development interventions.

Keywords: Christian Education, Educational Attainment, Human Capital Development, Economic Empowerment, Community Development.