International Journal of Educational Policy Research and Review
An assessment of citizens’ level of political participation and civic competence
Rasheed Adenrele Adetoro*1 and Muraina Olugbenga Omiyefa1
1Department of Social Studies, Federal College of Education Abeokuta, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author Email: radetoro2001(at)yahoo.com
Tel: +2348033458099
The civic competence and political culture of many Nigerians have become questionable as a result of their deficient behavioural manifestations. This paper therefore examined the extent of citizens’ political participation and civic competence in Abeokuta metropolis. The study employed descriptive survey design. The study was guided by four research questions and three hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance. Purposive sampling technique was used to select two hundred and forty (240) participants as the population. A questionnaire of twenty (20) structured items was administered to the participants. Data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics of percentages and frequency counts as well as inferential statistics of chi-square. The results showed that there is low level of political participation and civic competence among the sampled participants. Also, there was influence of gender, educational level and occupational status on political participation and civic competence. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that there is an urgent need for more emphasis on formal and informal political and civic learning in Nigeria.
Keywords: Civic behaviour, civic competence, community engagement, political participation.