The Role of Adult Education in Promoting Entrepreneurship Among Retired Civil Servants in Nigeria

This study examines the role of adult education and continuing learning programmes in facilitating entrepreneurship among retired civil servants in Nigeria. Retirement is a significant life transition that presents economic vulnerability for former civil servants, particularly in the context of Nigeria's underfunded pension system and high cost of living. Adult education programmes designed around retirement transitions, business skills, and post-career entrepreneurship can meaningfully support economic resilience among this group. This study uses a descriptive survey design, collecting data from 160 retired civil servants aged 50 to 65 who participated in pre-retirement and post-retirement adult education programmes in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Business development outcomes including enterprise establishment, revenue generation, and sustained operation are assessed. Regression analysis links adult education participation to entrepreneurship outcomes. Findings reveal that retired civil servants who participated in structured pre-retirement entrepreneurship training are three times more likely to establish a functioning business within 18 months of retirement compared to those without such training. Post-retirement business mentoring significantly improves business survival rates beyond the first year. Financial management and market access modules are rated as the most useful curriculum components. The study concludes that adult education programming for retiring civil servants is a cost-effective intervention for reducing post-retirement economic vulnerability. It recommends that the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation make pre-retirement entrepreneurship training a mandatory component of the pre-retirement transition programme.

Keywords: retirement education, entrepreneurship, adult learning, civil servants, Nigeria.