Analysing Policy Coherence Between Nigeria’s Adult Education Policy and Sustainable Development Goal 4

This study analyses the policy coherence between Nigeria's National Policy on Education adult literacy provisions and the commitments embedded in Sustainable Development Goal 4, particularly Targets 4.6, 4.3, and 4.7 relating to adult literacy, lifelong learning, and education for sustainable development. Policy coherence, the degree to which national policies are aligned with and mutually reinforcing of international development commitments, is a critical condition for effective SDG implementation. Nigeria's adult education policy has not been rigorously evaluated against SDG 4 benchmarks since the 2030 Agenda adoption. This study uses a critical policy analysis methodology, comparing Nigeria's National Policy on Education, UBEC Act provisions, and state-level adult education policy documents against SDG 4 target formulations and UNESCO monitoring indicators. Gap analysis identifies misalignments, silences, and coherence strengths. Key informant interviews with 20 adult education policy specialists and UBEC officials supplement the document analysis. Findings reveal significant policy coherence gaps in the areas of lifelong learning recognition beyond basic literacy, adult numeracy and financial literacy targets, and education for sustainable development content integration. Financing commitments in national policy documents are not aligned with SDG 4 benchmark expenditure recommendations. The study concludes that Nigeria's adult education policy requires systematic revision to achieve SDG 4 alignment. It recommends a dedicated SDG 4 national action plan for adult education with monitorable indicators, an annual reporting mechanism, and an adequately financed implementation strategy.

Keywords: policy coherence, SDG 4, adult education policy, Nigeria, lifelong learning.