A Cross-Cultural Comparative Study of Home Economics Curriculum Content and Graduate Competencies in Nigerian and Ghanaian Universities

This study conducts a cross-cultural comparative analysis of Home Economics curriculum content and the resulting graduate competencies in Nigerian and Ghanaian universities, generating original evidence for curriculum reform and regional academic collaboration. Nigeria and Ghana share significant cultural, linguistic, and developmental characteristics that make cross-national comparison methodologically defensible, yet no comparative study of Home Economics higher education between the two countries has been published. The study employs a comparative education design combining document analysis of curriculum frameworks, graduate competency surveys, and key informant interviews with 40 faculty and 20 industry experts across four universities in each country. Nigerian universities include those from the South West and North Central zones, while Ghanaian institutions represent urban and rural university environments. Analytical methods include comparative curriculum mapping, gap analysis, Pearson correlation, and thematic cross-case analysis. The Human Capital Comparative Education Model anchors the study. Original contributions include the first systematic cross-national curriculum comparison in West African Home Economics, a validated comparative competency assessment framework, and a regional curriculum harmonisation roadmap. Findings are expected to reveal convergences in theoretical curriculum content but significant divergences in practical skills delivery and entrepreneurship integration. Recommendations address the Association of African Universities, national curriculum bodies in both countries, and the ECOWAS Department of Education. Keywords: cross-cultural comparison, Home Economics curriculum, graduate competencies, Nigeria, Ghana.