Science Education: A Panace for National Security and Economic Development.

Education is a veritable tool for sustainable national integration and security especially in a country like Nigeria that is located in a region prone to conflict and insecurity. Education is aimed at developing the individual and the society. Science education encourages students to think and act as responsible scientists by providing opportunities for them to acquire and understand relevant issues. This paper examines the relationship between science education, security and national development. The paper also discusses the role of science education in achieving national security in Nigeria, such as minimizing superstition, inculcation of scientific and functional skills and knowledge among others. It also highlighted some problems that threaten science education in playing its roles effectively in achieving national security in Nigeria. To position science education for its role in the sustenance of national security, the researcher recommends that our nation should be a scientific literate society where students are acquitted with basic knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for development of the nation.