REPOSITIONING NIGERIAN MUSIC EDUCATION THROUGH STUDIES ON NIGERIAN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Abstract

Studies on African Musical instruments and development of music education have been undertaken since the early sixties (post-independence); including specific studies of African musical instruments in direct relationship with the development of music education in Nigeria by Echezona, Euba, Nzewi, Omibiyi, Okafor, Vidal, Agu, Adedeji, Chukwu, Ekeoba, Okunade, Olorunsogo, Uche, Olaniyan, Mokwunyei and many more. Although recommendations have been made and experimented upon especially at the tertiary level, the formal music education curriculum in most African countries including Nigeria is yet being debated with a yearning not only for more prominent attention but also to include and reflect adequate local content that ensures its validity. With a desire to evolve from where we were to where we should be, the thrust of this paper is that what constitutes implements of the normal ways of life of the people is here being considered relevant as vital tools for the development of music education in Nigeria.