Education, Social Mobility, and Barriers in Nigerian Urban Novels

Abstract

This paper explores the role of education in Nigerian urban novels as both a tool for social mobility and a site of contestation, highlighting the cultural, economic, and political barriers that limit access to educational opportunities in urban environments. Drawing on key works by Nigerian authors such as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Helon Habila, the study examines how characters navigate the complex urban landscape, seeking education as a means of upward mobility while contending with systemic challenges. Through these literary depictions, the paper argues that education serves not only as a means of personal advancement but also as a microcosm of broader societal inequities, reflecting the ongoing struggle for equality and justice within Nigerian society.