Title: An Examination of Socioeconomic Determinants Impacting Functional Literacy and Educational Advancement Interests of Commercial Drivers in Northwestern Nigeria
Authors: Kabiru Sani Musa
Volume: 9
Issue: 10
Pages: 627-638
Publication Date: 2025/10/28
Abstract:
This study investigated determinants influencing the functional literacy needs and enrichment interests of commercial drivers in North-west Nigeria. Functional literacy-encompassing the ability to apply reading, writing, and numeracy skills to solve real-life problems-was examined within cultural, civic, economic, and social domains, alongside enrichment interests in prose, document, and quantitative literacy. Adopting a descriptive cross-sectional survey design, the study sampled 660 literate inter-state commercial drivers from Kano, Kaduna, and Federal capital territory Abuja (FCT) using purposive and incidental sampling techniques. Data were collected with a validated questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA with Duncan's post-hoc tests at a 0.05 significance level. Results revealed that age, religion, and formal education significantly influenced functional literacy needs, while ethnic background and driving experience did not. Conversely, all five determinants-ethnic background, age, religion, formal education, and driving experience-significantly influenced enrichment interests. These findings, interpreted through Functionalism, Sociolinguistic, Adult Learning, and Human Capital theories, underscore the need for culturally inclusive, age-sensitive, and occupationally relevant literacy interventions. The study recommends developing multilingual materials, age-specific modules, and ICT-integrated, experience-based programmes in collaboration with relevant transport and safety agencies to promote lifelong learning and improve drivers' occupational competence and socio-economic outcomes.