Developmental Outcomes of Children Raised in Extended Family Versus Nuclear Family Settings in Ogun State

This study compares the developmental outcomes of children aged 4 to 10 years raised in extended family settings versus nuclear family settings in Ogun State, South West Nigeria. The extended family system remains a dominant caregiving arrangement across much of Nigeria, offering children multiple attachment relationships, shared resources, and cultural transmission. However, its developmental advantages and disadvantages relative to nuclear family arrangements have rarely been empirically examined using standardised developmental assessments. This research employed a comparative cross-sectional design involving 370 children recruited from primary schools and community health centres in Abeokuta, Sagamu, and Ijebu Ode. Developmental outcomes were assessed across cognitive, social-emotional, and language domains using standardised instruments. Caregiver characteristics and household resources were controlled in regression analyses. Results indicate that children in extended family settings demonstrated higher social competence and language skills, attributed to greater exposure to diverse conversational partners and shared caregiving. However, children in nuclear families showed higher scores on tasks requiring sustained individual attention, possibly reflecting more exclusive one-on-one parenting. No significant differences were found in cognitive development after socioeconomic status was controlled. The study recommends a culturally grounded approach to child development support in Ogun State that recognises the complementary strengths of both family arrangements. Keywords: extended family, nuclear family, child development outcomes, Ogun State, caregiving.