Department Of Sociology

Founded: 1967
E-mail address: sociology@abu.edu.ng

Brief History

The Department of Sociology, Ahmadu Bello University was established in 1967. It has since then in its teaching and research activities, distinguished itself by its conscious policy of Africanization. Although the initial focus was to train high level manpower to fill the administrative, personnel and social welfare arms of the public sector, the department later broadened its curriculum to include courses designed to produce graduates who would fit into a broad spectrum of jobs in the civil service (Federal, State and Local),the parastatals, para-military organizations (e.g. police, customs, prisons, immigration, road safety corps etc) tertiary institutions, research institutes, private companies and corporations, media organizations, non-governmental organizations and international agencies. The first set of three students graduated in June 1970. The department students’ intake has continued to expand to a level where the department is now graduating on the average between 100 and 150 students every year at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

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Philosophy

The broad philosophy of the Department right from inception has revolved around the production of knowledge which is functional and problem- oriented, relevant in terms of correctly reflecting Nigeria and African social reality, in terms of not accepting situations and concepts without logical and mature analysis. This philosophy has informed the curriculum of the department which has centred around:

(a) A conscious re-orientation and “indigenization” of course structure and content to ensure the teaching of concepts, theories and models relevant to the African situation as opposed to the wholesale importation of western theories and models.

(b) The expansion of course offerings to encompass as many areas of specialization as are relevant to the needs and realities of our rapidly changing and complex developing society.

(c) The creative engagement of the students in intellectual discussions and debates, as well as in the generation (through research projects and theses) of knowledge which supports the department’s teaching programme and lessens over dependence of Euro-American teaching materials.

In the light of this philosophy, the department’s programme has evolved:

a) Vigorous and problem-oriented teaching programme;

b) Conscious and systematic research component geared towards investigating, analyzing and proffering solutions to the service of the wider society through community and consultancy services.

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