Effect and Measures of Solving Contemporary Social Problems in Nigeria – JSS1 Social Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

Contemporary social problems in Nigeria are present-day issues, such as poverty, underdevelopment and corruption, that harm society and lower people’s quality of life.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. state the effects of poverty;
2. explain what underdevelopment is and list its attributes;
3. explain the effects of corruption on Nigeria;
4. suggest ways the government and civil society groups can solve social problems;
5. explain why personal discipline is important.

What are the effects of social problems in Nigeria?

The effects of social problems in Nigeria are the harm that poverty, underdevelopment and corruption do to individuals and the country.

What is poverty and what are its effects?

Poverty is the condition of lacking enough money or resources to meet basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter.

• Material poverty: lack of money, food, shelter and other goods.
• Mental poverty: a poor mindset, such as lack of ambition or fresh ideas.

Poverty, whether material or mental, is a drawback to the individual and to society. Its harmful effects are:

• Poor quality of life: poor housing, poor feeding and poor health.
• Lack of access to education: poor families may not afford school fees, books and uniforms.
• Violence: hungry and jobless people may turn to theft, robbery and other crimes.
• Poor education choices: not taking the right type of education can also lead to poverty.

What is underdevelopment?

Underdevelopment is a condition in which an economy lacks the human and material resources needed to improve the quality of human lives.

• It leads to low levels of living.
• These are marked by low real income per capita, illiteracy, poverty, overpopulation and disease.

What are the attributes of underdevelopment?

The attributes of underdevelopment are the features that show a country is underdeveloped. They can be grouped as follows:

What are the effects of corruption?

Corruption is the dishonest use of power or position for personal gain. Its effects on Nigeria are:

• Slow national growth: it retards economic, political and social growth, so the quality of life, goods and services is poor.
• Destruction of honest effort: merit, hard work and honesty are pushed aside, while cheating is copied as a way of life.
• Loss of investors: where corruption is widespread, genuine investors fear to invest and see the country as unsafe.
• Weak public institutions: corruption leads to the inefficiency of public institutions.
• Fallen standard of education: the display of ill-gotten money at funerals, launching ceremonies, party rallies and election campaigns sets a bad example for pupils and students at every level.
• Unemployment: public funds that could create jobs are diverted into private use, while a few people grow rich and many remain jobless.

What are the measures for solving contemporary social problems in Nigeria?

The measures for solving social problems are the actions that the government, civil society groups, families and individuals can take together.

What can the government do?

• Create jobs: provide work for the large youth population or support youths to be self-reliant.
• Set up skill acquisition centres: build them in major towns so that youths can learn a skill.
• Support value re-orientation: introduce policies that encourage value re-orientation clubs in schools.
• Fight corruption: support anti-corruption agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC, and punish offenders according to the law.

What can civil society groups do?

Civil society groups are organisations outside government, such as community associations, religious bodies and non-governmental organisations. They help to prevent social problems through the following:

• Campaigns against ethnic prejudice: teach people to live peacefully with those from other ethnic groups.
• Parental care and attention: parents should watch over, guide and correct their children.
• Moral lessons: religious leaders and parents should give good moral teaching and messages.
• Enlightenment programmes: hold seminars, conferences and public talks that educate people.

Why is personal discipline important?

Discipline is the refusal to engage in any practice that is not acceptable.

• Respectful: a disciplined person shows respect to others.
• Upright and morally sound: such a person avoids cheating, stealing and bribery.
• Honest and truthful: such a person can be trusted in school, at work and in public life.
• Taught from home: discipline should be taught to a child early, so that he or she grows up with it.

Evaluation

1. State three effects of poverty.
2. What is underdevelopment?
3. List four attributes of underdevelopment.
4. Explain two ways in which corruption affects Nigeria.
5. Mention three measures that can help to solve social problems in Nigeria.

Assignment

Explain how personal discipline can help to reduce social problems in Nigeria.