PROMOTING LIFELONG LEARNING COMPONENT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 4 FOR ENHANCING CITIZENSHIP EMPOWERMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The bad news on education, poverty, armed conflict and other emergencies keep many, many children around the world out of school. In fact, children from the poorest households are four times more likely to be out of school than those of the rich households. Thus, to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education, the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all under sustainable development goal 4 is a call in right direction to have a literate society. The objective of this study was to examine the contribution of lifelong learning in enhancing citizenship empowerment in Nigeria. In a bid to achieve this vital objective, some vital concepts such as lifelong learning, sustainable development, citizenship empowerment were discussed. A comprehensive discussion on situation of Nigeria citizens today, promoting citizens’ empowerment through lifelong learning component of sustainable development Goal 4, was also discussed. Three research questions guided the study. The design for the study was a descriptive survey. The population for the study was three thousand two hundred and fifty seven respondents (3257). A sample size of two thousand three hundred and fifty three (2353) respondents, comprising two hundred and fifty one (251) instructors and two thousand one hundred and two (2102) learners drawn using purposive sampling technique was used. The instrument for data collection was promoting lifelong Learning component of sustainable development goal 4 for enhancing citizenship empowerment in Nigeria questionnaire (PLLLCSDECEN). The instrument was face validated by three lecturers from Adult Education department, Enugu State University of Science and Technology. The data collected was analyzed using mean scores. The finding of the study reveals that lifelong learning component of sustainable development Goal 4, contribute much in enhancing citizenship empowerment in Nigeria through skills acquisition. It was recommended among others, that citizenship education should be introduced in our education system as a way of promoting literate society with skills to enhance people’s empowerment and also contribute to societal development.