STRENGTHENING ADULT EDUCATION AS A PUBLIC ENDEAVOUR AND COMMON GOOD

Abstract

Adult education is a potent vehicle that can drive national development in Nigeria, and entails educational programmes that caters for the diverse needs and interests of adult citizens. Adult education is paramount in facilitating inclusiveness in education, as it provides opportunity for all learners, irrespective of age, class, academic standing, ethnicity, religion and political orientations, to acquire the attitudes, skills, knowledge and experiences for active participation in community and national development, and for self-actualisation. This paper examined the essence of adult education as a common good and the challenges confronting the discipline especially in Nigeria. The paper also suggests strategies for strengthening adult education in Nigeria. It concludes that governments at all levels, and concerned stakeholders of education in Nigeria, should continuously fund and support measures, and programmes aimed at strengthening adult education in the country.