THE NEED FOR PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT IN EXTENSION EDUCATION SERVICE DELIVERY IN NIGERIA

The paper outlined the need for private sector involvement in extension education service delivery in Nigeria. Several studies have proved that in Nigeria it is not possible for government alone to support extension education programme in all its ramifications. In addition, public extension services have been hampered by corruption, inefficiency, poor coverage, political interference and many other challenges. The paper therefore discussed the concepts of extension and agricultural extension; trends in private sector involvement in agricultural extension; the need for private sector involvement in extension education service delivery. In order to buttress the need for private sector involvement in the delivery of extension education services, the paper highlighted the prospects for private sector extension organizations in Nigeria in the areas of strengthening farmers organizations, collaboration between public and private extension organizations, gradual emergence of private extension organizations and NGOs. The paper concluded that the practice of private sector involvement in agricultural extension organizations has gained significant attention and importance in recent years. This involvement can take various forms, such as public-private partnerships, outsourcing of extension services, or collaboration with experts.