Fostering Digital Entrepreneurship Programmes through Adult Education: A Pathway to Sustainable Development in the Rural Areas of Rivers State

Abstract

This study examined how fostering digital entrepreneurship programmes through adult education can serve as a pathway to sustainable development in rural Rivers State, Nigeria. Despite Nigeria’s expanding digital economy, rural communities remain disadvantaged due to limited digital infrastructure, low literacy, and socio-economic inequalities. Adult education provides a strategic mechanism to bridge this divide by embedding digital skills and entrepreneurship training into non-formal learning contexts. a descriptive survey design was adopted; data were collected from 72 respondents (20 facilitators and 52 learners) across ten rural communities in Emohua and Ikwerre Local Government Areas. A structured questionnaire, validated by experts and tested for reliability (α = 0.82), was employed. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation for research questions, while hypotheses were tested with an independent t-test at 0.05 significance level.Findings showed that digital entrepreneurship programmes significantly enhanced employment opportunities, income generation, and poverty reduction. Respondents agreed that programme content and delivery mechanisms—particularly digital marketing, financial literacy, and blended learning approaches were relevant and accessible, though advanced digital competencies remain underemphasized. The programmes also promoted gender equity and social inclusion by encouraging the participation of women, youth, and marginalized groups, though socio-cultural barriers persist. The study concludes that integrating digital entrepreneurship into adult education has transformative potential for rural development. It recommends enhanced funding, curriculum enrichment with advanced digital skills, and gender-sensitive interventions to ensure inclusivity and sustainability