How “Necessary Preoccupations†Can Enhance Curriculum Development in African Universities

Abstract

I propose in this paper that “Necessary preoccupations†can reduce the alien, oppressive andeuro-centric curriculum in African universities. A manifestation of the euro-centricism is theclear denial of a proper space for African philosophy in our institutions of higher learning. It isobserved that almost all African universities offer courses in British philosophy, Americanphilosophy and European philosophy with little or no attention given to courses in Africanphilosophy. The products of these systems eventually are clones that are groomed to imitate theEuropean thought and life. How can this anomaly be reduced in African universities and in thecontinent in general? I claim that African philosophers and scholars should begin to preoccupythemselves with necessary things that affect the continent with little regards to the sentiments ofthe western writers. The welfare and needs of the Africans should be given priority in theformulation of curriculum in African universities. The curriculum should incorporatephenomenological and substantive issues and executed through a conversational approach.