The Paradigm of Women Access to University Educatioin: Implications for Development in Nigeria

Abstract

Access to education generally is a major problem in Nigeria but more pronounced in respect of women access to University education. The appreciation that University education significantly influences all forms of development and that females constitute about fifty percent of Nigeria's total population places the subject matter on the front burner. Literature reviewed showed that women have not had adequate access to University education in Nigeria as data show that enrolments have not exceeded 27 percent and graduations remained in the region 25 percent which is poor considering the number of women in the total population. As the overall human resources of a nation, when adequately trained, are required for maximum development Nigeria is therefore disadvantaged. Okwori (2004) and Etim (1996) believe that women access to University education is hampered by such factors as religion and traditions, parents' socio-economic status, early marriage, selective education of children, and Government policies, among others. The paper has proffered measures that can enhance women access to university education to enable then adequately contribute to national development.

SOPHIA: An African Journal of Philosophy Vol. 9 (1) 2006: pp. 30-37