Undergraduates’ Educational Life and Academic Engagement in Southwest Universities in Nigeria: The Role of Gender and Perceived Poverty

Abstract

This study assessed the influence of gender and perceived poverty on undergraduates' educational life and academic engagements in public universities in Ekiti State, Nigeria. 700 undergraduates perceived to be poor were purposively selected. Data was collected using the "Poverty Factors Questionnaire;" with sub-sections measuring perceived poverty (α = 0.71), educational life (α = 0.86), and academic engagements (α = 0.94) hosted on Google forms. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and correlation analysis. Findings indicate that gender in favor of males significantly contributed to undergraduates' educational life, and engagements; positive and significant relationship among undergraduates' perceived poverty, educational life and engagements. Recommendations are made.