IMPACT OF URBANIZATION ON PRIMARY EDUCATION IN SOKOTO

Rapid, uneven urban growth is reshaping education landscapes across Nigeria, yet its micro-level effects remain poorly documented. Drawing on a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, this study assessed how the recent expansion of the Sokoto metropolis influenced access to, and quality of primary schooling. Landsat-derived built-up-density metrics (1986–2023) were merged with survey data from 36 schools and GPS-tracked pupil routes; multilevel models tested three hypotheses, while interviews with teachers, parents, and community leaders provided interpretive depth. Results show that every 10 ha · year⁻¹ increase in built-up density lengthened average home-to-school journeys by 0.6 km and lowered a composite Quality of Education Index by 4.7 points, effects that intensified on the urban fringe. In-migration further amplified overcrowding, pushing pupil-classroom ratios above 75:1 in some catchments. The findings highlight the need for spatially targeted teacher deployment, proactive school siting, and safe-route infrastructure to ensure equitable learning opportunities among continuing urban expansion.