Adult Education In Nigeria: Issues, Perspectives And Challenges

Abstract

Adult education refers to any educational programme (s) organised for adults and youths regardless of its contents, place of study and also has to be flexible in order to satisfy the needs and aspirations of the beneficiaries and their communities. Adult education is a practice in which adults engage in systematic and sustained self-education activities in order to gain knowledge, skills, attitudes, or values and is expected to address the socio-economic, cultural, political and environmental problems besieging humanity in their various societies. Unfortunately, the goals of adult education as stated by the federal government in the National Policy on Education, have not been properly achieved. Changes and developments in this contemporary world call for a total review and overhaul of adult education. Adult education faces challenges such as poor perception of adult education by the public, marginalization and lack of funding by the government of the day. This paper therefore looks at the concept of adult education, objectives of adult education, contemporary issues in Nigerian educational system, challenges and prospects. Based on the discourse it was recommended that adequate awareness should be given to the general public to enable them to know the importance of adult education; funds should be made readily available and recognition should be given to adult education; the nomenclature of “Adult Education” should be re-visited to a name that will be acceptable and known by all ages in the society. In conclusion, adult education should be re-positioned to meet the ever increase demand of the present time in order to contribute meaningfully to national development.