Imperative of Teaching Critical Thinking in Higher Institutions in Nigeria

Abstract

There is an urgent need for a new orientation to teaching and learning approaches in higher institutions in Nigeria. The absence of critical approach to teaching in these institutions in Nigeria, in spite of the teaching of Philosophy and Logic, leaves students to rely more on how much of the facts learnt can be memorised. Students lack the ability to deploy the knowledge acquired in this process to simple life situations, hence the need for a review of the content and the approach adopted in teaching the course, Philosophy and Logic, meant to teach students how to think critically. The need for a paradigm shift is required especially from the teaching of “what to think” to placing an emphasis on “how to think” which certainly provides an alternative learning approach to students in higher institutions in Nigeria.