THE EFFECT OF EDUCATION AND GENDER ON POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF ILORIN EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA)

TABLE OF CONTENT

TITLE PAGE                                                                     i

APPROVAL PAGE                                                             ii

DEDICATION                                                                   iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT                                                    iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                    vii

ABSTRACT                                                                       x

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background of the study                                          1

1.2   Statement of the problem                                                4

1.3   Purpose of the study                                                5

1.4   Research hypothesis                                                        7

1.5   Significance of the study                                          8

1.6   Scope and Limitation of the Study                           9

1. Definition of Major Terms Used                                      10

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1   Political participation                                       12   

2.2   Political culture                                                       19

2.3   Political Socialization                                       22

2.4   Elections                                                          24

2.5   Education                                                        25

2.6   Sex and Sexism                                               31

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHOD

3.1   Research Design                                              33

3.2   Sample and Sampling Techniques                   34

3.3   Population                                                       34

3.4   Research Instrument                                       35

3.5   Validity of Instrument                                      36

• Reliability of the Instrument                            36
• Administration of Instrument                          37
• Method of Data Analysis                                         37

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISSCUSION

4.1   Result                                                              39

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND

   RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1   Summary                                                                 43

5.2   Conclusion                                                      45

5.3   Recommendation                                             47

REFERENCES                                                 48

APPENDIX                                                       49

ABSTRACT

This research work investigated the effect of education and gender on political participation in Nigeria. A case study of Ilorin East Local Government Area. However, it tends to study how education and sex are positively or negatively affect the people participation in Nigeria politics.

        The researcher will look critically at why some people participate in politics and why others are apathetic to political activities.

        The rate at which the educated and non-educated people involves in politics as well as the exclusive influence of gender (male and female) on people’ concern for politics will be adequately analysed and examined in detail.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

        The concept, political participation is very important especially in a democratic set up or in an ideal society. Democracy itself assume high level of participation, it could be direct or indirect involvement. Generally, there are various factor affecting the level at which some people participate and some do no participate. The topic “Effect of sex and education on political participation in Nigeria” will measure why some are apathetic and why some feel alienated. Nigeria is a multi ethnic country that had measure why some are apathetic and why some feel alienated. Nigeria is a multi ethnic country that has experience a lot of political instability and with the enthronement of democracy, males and the educated seems to participate more than the illiterates and the females.   

        Participation in politics is a civic duty or responsibility in which every citizens of a particular society are expected to perform. Herbert Mclosky on his part sex political participation as those voluntary activities by which members of a society share in the selection of rulers and directly or directly in the formulation of public policy. Political philosophers over the years have extolled political participation as defense against misrule of tyranny.

        The above definition implies that political participation is an integral part of democracy. He more “active” forms of participation include formal enrollment in a party, canvassing and registration of voters, working in campaigns, competing for public and party offices donating money for a political programmes and attending political rallies etc.

        It’s necessary to note that people are not compelled to participate in politics but a civic responsibility. Political participation is influence by different factors. These factors account for why people participate and why they do not. Therefore, they possess some psychological traits like apathy, cynicism, alienation and anomies. Another reason why people do not participate in the political process can be imputed or attributed to the level of development in terms of political, social and economical aspect of the society. Meaning that modern society given their level of development participates effectively than the primitive or traditional societies who are less developed in terms of socio-economics and political aspect of life.  

        From the above illustration one can easily deduce that wealthy individuals and complex society tends to be more politically conscious than the poor individuals and more primitive societies. Other factors includes: sex and education shall be critically analysed and examined.

        It is generally believed hat males are more politically conscious as compared with their female counterparts vis-a-is functional literate people participate actively in politics than semi-literate or ill-educated. This has explained or given credence to the relationship that exist between education, sex and political participation in Nigeria. Thus we are using Ilorin West Local Government Area as a case study to either confirm or falsify the statement.

Statements of the Problem