Awareness and Uptake of Adult Education Programmes in Adamawa State Rural Communities

This study investigated levels of awareness and uptake of adult education programmes among rural communities in Adamawa State, North East Nigeria. Despite the existence of state and federal adult education schemes, participation rates in Adamawa's rural areas remain considerably low, limiting the developmental impact of these programmes. The study adopted a descriptive survey design with a sample of 190 adults from six communities across three local government areas. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and community focus group discussions. Findings revealed that awareness of available adult education programmes was generally low, with many community members reporting no knowledge of nearby learning centres or enrolment procedures. Among those who were aware, programme uptake was hindered by seasonal farming schedules, domestic obligations, fatigue from manual labour, and perceptions that adult education offered little practical benefit. Community members who had participated in adult education programmes were significantly more positive about their value, indicating that initial exposure was critical for changing attitudes. Radio and peer referral emerged as the most effective awareness channels in rural settings. Recommendations include launching intensive community mobilisation campaigns using local Fulani and Hausa language broadcasts, deploying community education ambassadors, and establishing farm-school models that align learning schedules with agricultural seasons. The study advocates for greater inter-ministerial coordination between the Ministries of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Education to design contextually relevant programme models. Keywords: adult education, programme awareness, rural communities, Adamawa State, uptake.