Study of Gender Disparities in Access to Tertiary Education in Adamawa State

Gender disparities in access to tertiary education persist across many Nigerian states, particularly in the North East, where social, cultural, and security factors intersect to disadvantage girls transitioning from secondary to post-secondary education. This study examines gender disparities in access to tertiary education in Adamawa State, focusing on enrolment patterns, barriers, and enabling factors. A mixed-method design was adopted, with 260 respondents including secondary school leavers, parents, guidance counsellors, and tertiary institution officials completing structured questionnaires and participating in interviews. Data were analysed using chi-square tests, mean scores, and content analysis. Findings reveal that male students outnumber female students in all sampled tertiary institutions by a ratio of 2.4 to 1, with the disparity most pronounced in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programmes. Parental preference for boys' education, early marriage pressures, financial constraints, and security concerns are the leading barriers to female tertiary access. Girls who receive active parental encouragement and financial support are significantly more likely to pursue tertiary education. Recommendations include bursary programmes targeting female applicants from low-income households, community sensitisation campaigns on the economic returns to girls' education, and incentivised female admission in STEM disciplines. Keywords: gender disparity, tertiary education, Adamawa State, access, North East Nigeria