Variables Influencing Functional Literacy Needs and Enrichment Interests of Commercial Drivers in North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated variables influencing the functional literacy needs and enrichment interests of commercial drivers in North-central Nigeria. Functional literacy—encompassing the ability to apply reading, writing, and numeracy skills to solve real-life problems—was examined within cultural, civic, economic, and social domains, alongside enrichment interests in prose, document, and quantitative literacy. Adopting a descriptive cross-sectional survey design, the study sampled 660 literate inter-state commercial drivers from Kogi, Kwara, and Niger States using purposive and incidental sampling techniques. Data were collected with a validated questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA with Duncan’s post-hoc tests at a 0.05 significance level. Results revealed that age, religion, and formal education significantly influenced functional literacy needs, while ethnic background and driving experience did not. Conversely, all five variables—ethnic background, age, religion, formal education, and driving experience—significantly influenced enrichment interests. These findings, interpreted through Functionalism, Sociolinguistic, Adult Learning, and Human Capital theories, underscore the need for culturally inclusive, age-sensitive, and occupationally relevant literacy interventions. The study recommends developing multilingual materials, age-specific modules, and ICT-integrated, experience-based programmes in collaboration with relevant transport and safety agencies to promote lifelong learning and improve drivers’ occupational competence and socio-economic outcomes.