DOI: 10.11648/j.jpsir.20260902.13 ISSN: 2640-2785

Strengthening National Security Through Community-based Adult Education Programmes: A Legacy of Michael Adekunle Ajasin

Ayobami Abiloye
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In recent years, security challenges characterized by insurgent activities, communal clashes kidnapping have escalated in Nigeria, hence a need for creative and community-oriented ways of handling them. The paper discusses how community-based adult education programmes may contribute to enhancing national security through significant development of an informed, resilient, and civically active citizenry. Lessons were drawn from the educational philosophy of Michael Adekunle Ajasin, an advocate for an accessible and universal education, who believes in transformative education that changes communities by making people active participants in nation-building processes. The paper explores the Ajasin legacy of policies and principles bequeathed to humanity, especially his commitment to free and lifelong learning, as a viable framework through which contemporary security problems can be handled. This was done by assessing how community-based adult education programmes contribute to social cohesion and a reduction in the vulnerability of citizens toward radicalization, as well as ensuring increased local awareness of security concerns through a critical review of related literature. Recommendations include the infusion of security topics into adult education curricula, development of partnership between the government and communities, increase in financing for local education initiatives, and training of adult educators in conflict resolution and emergency response. Drawing from Ajasin's legacy, this paper reasons that community-based adult education can constitute the fulcrum of a national security strategy in Nigeria and even lay the foundation for lasting peace and development.

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