Digital Literacy and Adult Learners Participation in Community Development Programmes in Abak Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

This study examined digital literacy and adult learners’ participation in community development programmes in Abak Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study was motivated by the need to understand how digital competencies can enhance adult learners’ involvement in community development activities. Specifically, the study examined digital information skills and online safety skills in relation to adult learners’ participation in community development programmes. The study focused on the ability of adult learners to access, evaluate and utilize digital information, as well as protect their personal information and engage safely on digital platforms. The study adopted a correlational research design. The population of the study consisted of twenty thousand three hundred and thirty eight (20,338) adults both male and female while Purposive sampling technique was applied to select a representative and manageable sample size of six hundred and eleven (611) adult male and female respondents. Data were collected from adult learners using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using pearson product moment correlation statistical technique. The findings indicated that digital information skills and online safety skills are important in promoting adult learners’ participation in community development programmes. The study concluded that strengthening digital literacy among adult learners could improve access to development-related information, enhance communication with community stakeholders and encourage responsible participation in community activities. The study recommended that adult education centres should provide practical training in digital information management and online safety to improve adult learners’ participation in community development programmes in Abak Federal Constituency.