Abstract:
The Nigerian society is characterized by dilapidated infrastructure, mass poverty,
unemployment, decreasing standard of living, socioeconomic inequality, and
insecurity, among others. To improve the system requires the active participation
of all, especially the adult population. The active participation of people _in
governance is premised on the literacy level of the people. Where people are
largely illiterate, they are inactive participants in the democratic processes of their
community. Thus, the impact of adult literacy on political empowerment cannot
be overemphasized. It is against this background ~at this paper explores various
adult literacy programmes as strategies for engendering ideal democratic
structures and good governance in Nigeria. It concluded that adult literacy
programmes (literacy for conscientization, as well as civic, budget and leadership
literacy) can be used to install ideal democracy and good governance in Nigeria.
