Reimagining Nigerian Educational Reform in the Digital Age: Integrating Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah for Ethical and Sustainable Development

Abstract

The growing intersection of educational policy and digital transformation in Nigeria demands a re-evaluation of normative frameworks that ensure inclusive and value-oriented development. This paper examines the imperative of integrating Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah (Higher Objectives of Islamic Law) into educational policy reforms as a pathway to sustainable growth within Nigeria’s burgeoning digital economy. Drawing on a critical review of classical Islamic legal theory, contemporary scholarship, and policy analysis, the paper interrogates how the five cardinal objectives- ḥifẓ al-dīn (protection of religion), ḥifẓ al-nafs (protection of life), ḥifẓ al-‘aql (protection of intellect), ḥifẓ al-nasl (protection of progeny), and ḥifẓ al-māl (protection of wealth) can enrich educational policies towards promoting ethical digital literacy, inclusive innovation, and human capital development. Employing a multidisciplinary methodology that fuses content analysis, critical policy hermeneutics, and expert elicitation, the paper reveals a lacuna in extant curricular and administrative paradigms, particularly in addressing the ontological and axiological crises engendered by the digital turn. It establishes that embedding Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah in education policy creates an ethical foundation for nurturing responsible and digitally competent citizens. The findings reveal that while existing policy instruments recognise the need for digital integration, they lack a robust moral and philosophical framework that addresses socio-cultural pluralism and the ethical challenges of technological advancement. The paper argues that a thoughtful synthesis of pedagogical vision and the value-laden imperatives of Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah provides a transformative blueprint for ensuring long-term societal resilience, equity, and industrial progress. It concludes with policy recommendations for stakeholders in education, governance, and Islamic intellectual circles to foster a knowledge economy that is both digitally competent and ethically grounded.