Pentecostal Power and Pedagogical Politics

Reshaping Sexuality Education in Nigerian Schools

Abstract

This perspective piece examines the growing influence of Pentecostal Christian movements in reshaping the discourse and content of sexuality education within Nigerian schools. It identifies a critical research problem: the increasing contestation of comprehensive, evidence-based sexuality education by well-resourced Pentecostal actors who advocate for abstinence-only curricula aligned with their theological doctrines. The article employs a critical discourse analysis, drawing on policy documents, public statements from religious leaders, and faith-based educational materials to deconstruct the underlying ideological positions. It argues that Pentecostal lobbying represents a potent form of pedagogical politics, effectively framing sexuality education not as a public health imperative but as a moral battleground for the soul of the Nigerian youth. This has led to a significant narrowing of school-based curricula, often sidelining crucial information on reproductive health, contraception, and gender equality in favour of dogmatic teachings on sexual purity. The piece contends that this trend has profound implications for the educational and social development of young Nigerians, potentially exacerbating risks of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. From an African perspective, it calls for a reassertion of educational sovereignty, advocating for curricula that are culturally sensitive yet scientifically robust, prioritizing the holistic wellbeing and informed agency of African learners over imported or externally-driven ideological dogma.