HOME ECONOMICS EXTENSION FOR ECONOMIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL WELLBEING OF RURAL WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Home economics extension and services in the Republic of Nigeria experienced different stages of development in the concept of Agricultural Extension and Services. This happens with the services under the control of the States Agricultural Development Programmes and Women-in-Agriculture (WIA) as one of the programmes often organized for rural women in their communities. This paper began by describing the mission of home economics extension and services in Nigeria to the uplifting economic and technological development of rural households. This is the concern of home economics extension because economic and technological reforms deeply shape daily life of rural households. Following an historical overview of home economics extension in Nigeria, pre-empted with a discussion of rural women’s involvement, the paper turned to a conversation about the impact WIA might have on rural women in the present economic situation of Nigeria. The paper also highlighted the prospects of WIA and discussed how far it has improved the lives of rural women’s economic and technological wellbeing. The paper stated the major findings on the information on WIA at local level and made a conclusion that much effort are needed to embrace home economics extension in Nigeria so as to make meaningful impact on economic and technological development of rural women.