GIRL-CHILD EDUCATION AND ITS INFLUENCE ON SECURITY, FAMILY STABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The past years have witnessed improved- but not sufficient - enrolment of the female population in both junior and higher education in Nigeria in general and Kogi State in particular. However, a closer analysis of education statistics still reveals the different nature of the problem in different socio-cultural and economic contexts. This paper takes a look at girl-child education and its influence on family stability and development in Kogi State, Nigeria. The paper argues that a number of cultural barriers still exist in Kogi State which seriously impedes women's development as citizens and professionals. Efforts to improve female education in Kogi State needs to go beyond rhetoric and should involve policies and programs with measurable results. The methodology adopted for this paper is the descriptive survey research design. The descriptive survey research design describes a given state of affair at a particular time. According to Emaikwu (2008), this type of research design gathers data from a large number of subjects. The purpose is to get information from a representative sample and to infer on a large population. The findings show that Kogi State Government has not placed adequate provision in areas of female education. The paper therefore recommends that Kogi State government should make adequate provision for free and mandatory education for women from primary to tertiary levels to enable them participate adequately in community development. It concludes that the State Government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Mass Media and Churches, should intensify campaigns through talks, seminars/ workshops, film-shows and preaching on the need to abolish all traditional practices and beliefs that impede and stifle the education of women and subsequently affect their participation in family stability and general development.