Abstract
Extension education is a vital instrument for promoting agricultural development, improving rural livelihoods, and facilitating socio-economic transformation in Nigeria. Traditionally, extension service delivery in Nigeria has been dominated by the public sector, particularly through state Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs). Extension education remains a critical mechanism for promoting agricultural productivity, rural development, and socio-economic transformation in Nigeria. As a form of adult and non-formal education, extension education facilitates the transfer of knowledge, skills, technologies, and innovations from research institutions and educational systems to farmers and rural communities. Given the central role of agriculture in Nigeria’s economy and livelihoods, effective extension service delivery is indispensable for achieving food security, poverty reduction, and sustainable development. However, despite its acknowledged importance, extension education service delivery in Nigeria continues to face persistent challenges, even as new opportunities and prospects emerge in the context of policy reforms, institutional pluralism, and technological advancement. DOI: https://doie.org/10.50390/NCAEJ.2026715834