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

Résumé

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