Abstract:

This study interrogates the link between education and measurable social development in Africa, with emphasis on Nigeria. Several scholars and global organizations have agreed that education is sacrosanct in the quest for development. Despite the scholarly recommendations and advocacies in favour of education, there still appears to be low level of education in some areas in Nigeria, which would naturally impede the level of development. This study, therefore, adopts both the qualitative and quantitative approaches to investigate the twin variables of education and social development in Ado Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. Analysis is based on the Human Development Index which is validated by the evaluation of number and quality of teachers, infrastructure and remuneration issues within selected schools in the LGA. Findings show that quality education provides access to qualitative life, employability, information, and social mobility, among others, and that Nigeria’s level of underdevelopment cannot be divorced from her high level of illiteracy. The study concludes that education plays a critical role in the development of any society.

Keywords:

Education, quality of life, social development, Nigeria, illiteracy, Ado Odo/Ota.