Effect of Rural Banditry on Adult Education Supervision in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Despite growing attention to the security crisis in northern Nigeria, limited research has examined how rural banditry specifically affects adult education supervision. This study addresses that gap by exploring the impact of insecurity on adult education supervision in Niger State. It focused on conflict affected areas and used qualitative methods of document analysis, interviews, and field observation. The study finds that banditry has led to school closures, reduced learner attendance, and disrupted supervisory activities due to fear, trauma, and poor access to learning centres. Factors driving banditry include difficult terrain, porous borders, weak security, poverty, and arms proliferation. Broader effects include displacement, deepened poverty, and declining trust in institutions. The study recommends improved security around education centres, adoption of digital supervision tools, community monitoring, increased funding, and integration of peace education. It concludes that addressing rural banditry is essential to safeguard education and promote stability.