Transportation as a Barrier to Education in Rural Nigeria

My internship with Leadership Initiatives has allowed me to understand human rights, specifically education, in the rural town of Buli, Nigeria. Through studies, surveys, and workshops I have come to understand the barriers some places face when it comes to having accessible education. One of the main things that I studied was how transportation impacts education accessibility; I wanted to share some of my findings here in order to spread awareness of these issues and, hopefully, bring about change.

As I wrote in the community brief, transport accessibility means having reliable, cost effective ways of travelling in and around communities. This ensures that communities can stay connected and that proximity will not be a barrier to furthering opportunities. In Nigeria, many live in rural communities and transportation poses a formidable challenge to communication and trade across groups. Often, transportation barriers serve as an obstacle to health services and educational pursuits.

For Buli, Nigeria, accessibility starts with everyday public transportation services that travel to the full breadth of the community. Rainy seasons, bad roads, and floods are main causes of insufficient transportation, this means many cannot make it to work or school in a timely, effective manner. This can discourage the community, causing increased school dropout rates, isolation, road traffic and injuries, as well as intensifying disparities. Promoting transportation in Buli will increase school participation and attendance, productivity, and healthcare access. Transportation should not be limited by proximity, it is a basic necessity needed for the growth and development of Buli. Simple solutions can easily be implemented to benefit everyone, such as shared school bus networks, climate resistant roads, and establishing systems for easy road maintenance. 

Proximity is a main factor in influencing choices. A two hour walk during the rainy season can be a major deterrent for a student heading to school. However, with proper transportation systems in place this can be combatted. Common short-term ways of ensuring safe and easy transport are; dedicated buses or transport vehicles for the elderly, those with disabilities, and young students, adding police checkpoints at high collision areas, and building bridge structures in areas with high seasonal flood rates. Transportation accessibility is an equality and progress based approach that ensures all people and aspects of a community can be connected without worry of travel barriers. It focuses on creating easy, cost effective systems which can be implemented in rural areas so that transportation is not a reason for limited opportunities. Accessibility to transportation systems is the focal point of a community, it is the engine which augments community development, communication, and connectivity. It plays a role in those from young to old ages and is a driving force in job, health service, and educational choices. Proximity should not be a limiting factor when considering opportunities; no matter the distance a person should be able to pursue opportunities that benefit them and their future. This is a pressing issue of connectivity, accessibility, and equal opportunity.