Attitudinal Barriers to Adult Education Enrolment Among Men in Enugu State

This study investigated attitudinal barriers to adult education enrolment among adult men in Enugu State, South East Nigeria. While female participation in adult education has attracted significant research attention, the attitudinal barriers preventing adult men from enrolling in continuing education programmes remain underexplored in the Nigerian context. The study used a descriptive survey design engaging 170 adult men who had not enrolled in any adult education programme within the preceding three years, drawn from three semi-urban and rural communities in Enugu State. Structured questionnaires and focus group discussions were employed for data collection. Findings revealed that male respondents most frequently cited embarrassment about returning to school as adults, scepticism about programme outcomes, and preference for informal on-the-job learning over structured adult education as primary enrolment deterrents. Peer ridicule from age-mates and the perception that adult education was primarily designed for women and illiterates further discouraged male participation. Younger adult men were more open to digital and vocational education modalities than older men, who preferred socially embedded learning opportunities. The study recommends designing male-friendly programme models that emphasise skills upgrading and career advancement rather than basic literacy remediation, deploying respected community male figures as programme ambassadors, and integrating adult learning opportunities into existing male social spaces such as cooperative organisations and trade unions. Addressing stigma through community-level campaigns is identified as foundational to increasing male participation. Keywords: attitudinal barriers, adult education, male participation, Enugu State, enrolment.