The Role of Education in Poverty Reduction in Nigeria

Here in this post, we are going to outline and discuss the role of education in poverty reduction in Nigeria. We hope you find this article helpful.

Barrack Obama, in a notable quote, said: “In the 21^st century, the best anti-poverty program around is a world-class education”. This statement from a man of his wealth of knowledge goes a long way in emphasizing the ever crucial role of education in tackling poverty altogether.

Statistic shows, that 86.9 million Nigerians lives in extreme poverty. Although this revelation is worrisome, the truth remains that the figures have reduced over the years particularly because over time, more Nigerians have been privileged to get access to quality education both within and outside the country.

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And these educated people, have contributed and are contributing tirelessly to the economic growth and development of Nigeria.

Education without a doubt opens up so many grey areas, and exposes the mind to many possibilities in different sectors of the society ranging from science and technology, commerce, economics, robotics, business, agriculture and a host of others. Without a doubt, education remains the starting point for sustainable development.

The United Nations just committed to another vision targeted for 2030. They however acknowledge that to achieve sustainable development, eradicating poverty completely is pivotal. Without a doubt, education plays a vital role in reducing the poverty rate within the country.

For the sake of this discussion, let us consider some of the roles education plays in reducing poverty in Nigeria. They include:

1. Increased rate of female child education
2. Increased income.
3. Paves way for equality
4. Increased level of access to vital information.
5. Increased level of involvement in mechanized farming.

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Increased Rate Of Female Child Education

Compared to what was applicable in the early days after independence in Nigeria when educating the female child was considered a waste of resources we have more women educated today.

This was theory based on the assumption that the female child grows up to be a woman who ends up in the kitchen.

This has for years affected our economic growth and development as a country. However, with the increasing rate of single mothers who either lost their husbands to the cold hands of death have irresponsible husbands who at best are figure heads and the likes.

The bulk of the responsibility of providing for the family falls on the woman and should she be naïve and uneducated, the entire family is plunged into endless suffering.

The woman has to depend on menial jobs with meager pay to take care of the never ending needs of the family. Many times than not, she is unable to provide for the ever increasing needs of the family.

With the increased rate of female child education, we have countless women having jobs and engaging in ventures that are highly profitable, thus positioning them to be dependable providers and reducing the rate of those who are in the category of those below the poverty line.

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Increased Income

With more communities having access to education over the years, the earning power of countless of Nigerians has also increased.

Prior to now, several persons had to depend on what little they are able to earn from what is gotten from farming (not mechanized).

Except for the very exceptional cases of those farmers or people of other trades that are well to do, most people could not adequately afford what was needed for the un-keep of their family.

With education came, better paying jobs that helps to see to the basic needs of the family. The ripple effect that such increased income has on the extended family as well as on communities cannot be overly emphasized as Nigeria being a communal society, has a way of extending helping hands to people within ones immediate sphere of influence. The implication of this is the decrease in the rate of those below the poverty line.

Paves Way for Equality

Prior to now, education was so expensive that only the wealthy could afford it. Although quality education in Nigeria is getting more expensive with the passing of each day, however, it is better compared to what it used to be.

More people particularly from humbling backgrounds, because of the appreciate their parents have for education, ensures they have access to it by all means and in others cases, the government as well as several organizations makes provision for scholarships.

These scholarships, gives countless persons from humble backgrounds access to education which on the long run tackles the rate of poverty within the country.

The result of this is the reduced rate of the inequality that used to exist between the rich and the poor on the grounds of education.

Read Also: The Role of Education in Economic Development in Nigeria

Increased Level Of Access To Vital Information

Education as we know it is not limited to formal education alone. With the increased level of the information available to people today via different platforms has helped in many ways, to further educate people, making them more aware of their environment and the opportunities that can be explored.

This has helped to increase the earning power of many people. This has without doubt had a ripple effect on the rate of those living below the poverty line.

Increased Level Of Involvement In Mechanized Farming:

Thanks to education, gone are the days when farmers had to rely primarily on having several wives so as to produce several children that could be used for large scale farming. With proper education for farmers today via both formal and informal platforms of education, more farmers now subscribe to mechanized farming.

This is a game changer, as with little effort as well as man power, they are able to produce more and also earn more. More farmers than ever before are also able to export their farm produce which give them more money on the long run. The effect of this, is a reduced rate of poverty altogether.

Read Also: 12 Tips to Beat Poverty amid Difficult Times

In conclusion, education is played a major role in reducing the rate of poverty in Nigeria. Once can only imagine what the story would have been if we did not have access to education as we do today.

Although, there is more to be done, and with more person having access to quality education (formal and informal), extreme levels of poverty, would soon become a thing of the past.

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