Social action learning: applicability to comrades in adversity in Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The paper considers the learning of former abductees in Nigeria who enrolled on the New Foundation School University Preparatory (NFSUP) programme at the American University of Nigeria (AUN). The research question is: Can action learning enable a holistic evaluation of the student learning experiences of former terrorist abductees on a university preparatory programme at the AUN? The methodology employed is based on the praxeology of action learning, combined with grounded theory. Literature relating to abduction, stigmatisation and exclusion are considered along with coverage of the Boko Haram abduction of Chibok school girls in Nigeria. Findings show action learning enables student engagement, promotes confidence, encourages social and emotional learning and provides a forum for feedback from NFSUP students. This paper could also be relevant for preparatory and transformational courses in a wider community that includes refugees, internally displaced persons, child soldiers, teenage victims of trafficking and sexual grooming. Action learning probably enables a more holistic evaluation of student learning than Course Experience Questionnaires. A hybrid of both approaches should be considered by educational institutions as an assessment tool.

KEYWORDS:

• Terrorist abductees
• action learning
• grounded Theory
• action learning research

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Dr. Adrian Ogun is Director of Research at Actionable Knowledge Services (Nigeria).

Mr. Reginald Braggs is Assistant Vice President of the American University of Nigeria and Director of the New Foundation School University Preparatory programme at AUN.

Jeff Gold is Professor of Organisational Learning at York, St John University and Leeds Beckett University.