Oto-ijaniki: Prof. Moshood Lawal of the Department of Sociological Sciences, Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), emphasized that educating students to become responsible citizens and caretakers of the earth transcends academic subjects. Lawal shared this insight during the inaugural lecture series at LASUED.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the lecture’s theme was ‘Nurturing Eco-Conscious And Socially Just Citizen: My Scholarly Journey in Social Studies and Environmental Education’. Prof. Lawal highlighted that environmental degradation and social injustice are interconnected crises, not separate issues. He shared his observations from various communities, noting that environmental challenges often lead to social problems, impacting livelihoods and vulnerable populations.
The professor stressed the importance of educating students beyond academics, envisioning a generation committed to environmental responsibility and social justice. This education aims to build sustainable communities that respect both nature and human dignity. Lawal introduced ‘Eco-Social Justice Pedagogy’, a philosophy that integrates ecological awareness with social equity, built on understanding ecological interdependence, sustaining social foundations, and promoting active citizenship.
Challenges in fostering eco-conscious and socially just citizens were acknowledged, but Lawal emphasized that they serve as a call to action. He urged educators, administrators, and policymakers to collaborate in reshaping curricula and aligning resources to achieve these educational goals. Social studies, he explained, aims to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary for adapting to environmental changes, drawing insights from multiple disciplines.
Environmental education, Lawal noted, helps individuals understand their connection to the natural world, fostering awareness of issues like climate change and pollution. It encourages a sense of responsibility toward the environment. The relationship between social studies and environmental education is intertwined, enhancing understanding of the sociopolitical dimensions of environmental issues.
Lawal recommended teacher training institutions and a comprehensive review of curricula within Nigeria’s education system. This review should prepare future educators to drive community transformation and national development. Course structures should incorporate interdisciplinary perspectives, blending technology, environmental studies, and social studies principles.