ECONOMIC LITERACY AMONG NIGERIAN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: THECASE OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, SAMARU MAIN CAMPUS ZARIA
ECONOMIC LITERACY AMONG NIGERIAN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: THECASE OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, SAMARU MAIN CAMPUS ZARIA
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Date
1986-12
Authors
MICHAEL, STEVE OLU
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Abstract
It is the desire of every society to develop
economically. An important factor contributing to
economic development is economic knowledge possessed
by the citizens within a society. Realization of
this, therefore, places emphasis on economic
education.
This study was designed to assess the economic
literacy of educated Nigerians (those with university
education). However, to avoid the confounding
influences of extraneous factors, such as working
experience, Nigerian undergraduate students in their
final year were studied instead of the graduates.
A stratified random sample of 200 students participated
in the study. A test of economic literacy was
developed and administered to the finalists and the
freshmen - those just beginning their university
education, used in this study as a control group.
In addition to the test which measured economic
literacy, questionnaires were also administered to
collect personal data.
Factors suspected to contribute to economic
literacy were also investigated. These include major
field of study, sex, age, level of formal education
in economics and previous working experience.
The findings indicate that university education
affects one's economic literacy irrespective of the
The findings indicate that university education
affects one's economic literacy irrespective of the
field of study. University life offers the opportunity
for one to be more literate in economic matters.
However, some disciplines contribute more to economic
literacy than do others. For example, professional
science students are better than arts students in
economic literacy.
Sex differences in economic literacy are found
only among freshmen. University education neutralizes
the sex effect, hence, among finalists, neither
females nor males can claim superiority in economic
knowledge. Age does not have any influence on economic
literacy.
Economic illiteracy among educated Nigerians
should be given paramount attention. A council to
deal with the problem nation-wide should be set up.
A core course in economics and sociology title "Nigerian
Problems" to be taken by all Nigerian undergraduates,
irrespective of field of study, is also recommended.
The curriculum at the primary school level should
include business and economic ethics. Government
should accelerate the production of business educators
who should play the dual-role of teaching economic
education and business studies.
Description
MASTER OF EDUCATION (M.ED)
(BUSINESS EDUCATION)
DEPARTMENT OF VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY
ZARIA.
DECEMBER, 1986
Keywords
ECONOMIC,, LITERACY,, AMONG,, NIGERIAN,, UNDERGRADUATE,, STUDENTS,, THECASE,, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,, SAMARU,, MAIN CAMPUS,, ZARIA.