RETHINKING WOMEN’S ACCESS TO EDUCATION: A PANACEA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Education is paramount for achieving sustainable development of any nation. Through education, relevant skills, knowledge and values are acquired by members of the society to enable them maximize their potentials in the ever changing world. Adult literacy and education are necessary to ensure an enlightened government and citizenry whose insights, activities and decisions are vital for national goals and development. This paper examines women and access to adult education in Nigeria. It identifies the history, meaning, forms and purpose of women’s education. Engaging relevant archival resources, data and theories, the militating factors including cultural, economic and religious barriers affecting women’s access to education and the changes in contemporary societies are critically examined. The study concludes that education of women is a major avenue for harnessing requisite human potential for optimal development of the Nigerian state.