A. E. Osawaru

This study examined the concepts of peace, peace education and its essence towards achieving a socially reconstructed Nigerian society where peace and harmony reign. It therefore sought to establish the role of peace education in social reconstruction, explore the essence and nature of peace education for social reconstruction in Nigeria, and draw attention to the epistemic import of peace education and role of the teacher and learners in social reconstruction. It also discussed how peace education is reflected in the Nigeria’s basic education system. Five research questions were raised to guide the study. The traditional philosophical methods of philosophizing namely speculative, analytical and prescriptive methodologies were employed. These methods clarified, explicated, evaluated and brought to bear the epistemic essence of peace education as a necessary form of education that can guarantee a true socially reconstructed Nigerian society where the Nigeria child or learner would see himself as an agent of peace, and thus contribute to the reconstruction of the Nigerian society and general development through purposive reflective thinking