The role of extension education in developing resilient adult learning systems for economic and social transformation in Nigeria

If one will go by reality in the face of Nigeria's multifaceted socio-economic challenges, building resilient adult learning systems has become imperative for achieving sustainable development and social transformation. Extension education offers a pragmatic approach to bridging the educational gaps experienced by many adult learners. It is on this basis that this paper critically examines the role of extension education in developing resilient adult learning systems that drive social transformation in Nigeria. The paper, among other things, discusses the concept of adult learning, extension education, different adult learning systems in Nigeria and concludes by proposing strategic pathways as recommendation for enhancing the effectiveness of extension education in meeting the country's evolving educational and societal needs which includes; the need for formulation of comprehensive policies that integrate extension education into the national education and development agenda, investment in digital infrastructure by the government at different levels and involving the communities in the design, implementation, and evaluation of extension programmes among others as the pathway to Nigeria’s economic and social transformation.