Education & Developmental Initiatives: Examining the Role of Adult Education in Rural Community Development in Nigeria

Abstract

Rural community development is a critical driving force in a nation’s advancement. The effort is to address and successfully support the specific needs and opportunities of the communities and their inhabitants. As a result, any nation that has weak or undeveloped rural communities finds it extremely difficult to reach the height of its developmental strides. In the same manner, the role of education in modern times cannot be quickly exhausted in a hurry for its contributions to the development of individuals and its impact on rural community development. As a result, this paper attempts to identify and conceptualize the following terms - “Community”, “Education”, “Development”, “Community development”, “formal education”, “Informal education”, “Non-formal education”, “Adult education”, and “Rural area”. It also attempts to understand the functions of a community, and how individuals in a rural community could contribute meaningfully to the development of their rural communities. Also discussed the purpose or the importance of community development in Nigeria. The paper further examined the purpose/benefits of adult education in community development, and the challenges or obstacles hindering the effective implementation of rural community development initiatives. However, the authors finally made suggestions for combating the effective implementation of rural community development programmes and projects in Nigeria.