OPPORTUNITIES IN THE EDUCATIONAL SECTOR FOR ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION

Abstract

This study focused on improving quality education as a gateway to diversify the economy. The study was a survey research conducted in Gombe, Borno and Adamawa states Metropolitans that is Gombe, Maiduguri and Yola respectively. The sample of the study was 1800 respondents, which comprises of 300 respondents from upper social class, 900 middle social class and 600 lower social class. The instrument for data collection was a 5-point questionnaire designed by the researchers and validated by three experts from the Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola. A test was done on 40 respondents from Biu and Mubi. Test re-test reliability was used in the trial test. Cronbach Alpha was used to determine the reliability coefficients. A reliability coefficient of 0.79 was realized. Two research questions were raised to guide the study, while 2 null hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 levels of significance. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions; and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the null hypotheses, while Scheffe test was used to show which group brings about the significant difference in the groups. The findings revealed that all the items are opportunities for economic diversification in educational sector. Also, the finding revealed that improving quality education, as gateway to diversifying the economy will improve the performance of other sectors of the economy. The study recommended among others that, an enabling environment should be provided for investor to invest in education sector.