Stakeholder Engagement in Adult Education Needs Assessment in Nigeria’s North East Zone

This study investigates the quality and effectiveness of stakeholder engagement processes in adult education needs assessments in Nigeria's North East geopolitical zone. Needs assessment is the critical first step in programme planning that determines whether adult education interventions are responsive to community realities. In the North East, where conflict, displacement, and cultural complexity create distinctive educational needs, the quality of stakeholder engagement in needs assessment processes is especially important. This study uses a qualitative design, conducting in-depth interviews with 45 programme designers, community stakeholders, and assessment practitioners involved in adult education needs assessments in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States. Stakeholder engagement quality is assessed on dimensions of inclusivity, methodology, cultural sensitivity, and utilisation of findings in programme design. Comparative analysis of needs assessment reports from six programmes is also conducted. Findings reveal that most needs assessments in the region are conducted by external consultants with limited local knowledge, producing reports that poorly reflect the heterogeneity of literacy needs, language preferences, and livelihood contexts across communities. Community participation is typically superficial, involving information sharing rather than genuine co-analysis. Findings from needs assessments are frequently not used in subsequent programme design, reflecting a disconnect between assessment and programming functions. The study concludes that needs assessment quality in the North East requires substantial improvement in stakeholder engagement depth and utilisation. It recommends participatory rural appraisal training for all adult education programme planners operating in the region.

Keywords: needs assessment, stakeholder engagement, adult education, North East Nigeria, programme planning.