RETHINKING WOMEN'S ACCESS TO EDUCATION: A PANACEA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Education is acknowledged as paramount for achieving sustainable development of any nation. Through education, relevant skills, knowledge and values are acquired by members of the society to enable them to maximize their potentials in the ever changing world. Education and adult learning are necessary to guarantee an informed government and citizens with foresights, actions and decisions that are crucial for national goals and development. This paper examines women and access to education in Nigeria. It identifies the history, meaning, forms and purpose of women’s education. Engaging relevant archival resources, data and theories, the militating factors including cultural, economic and religious barriers affecting women’s access to education and the changes in contemporary societies are critically examined. The study concludes that education of women is a major avenue for harnessing requisite human potential for optimal development of the Nigerian state.Edulearn Conference Proceeding, 2018, Spai