Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Youths’ Declining Interest in Tertiary Education: The Case of “Yahoo-Yahoo” in Cross River State, Nigeria

Authors

  • Bassey John Okoi Curriculum Studies, Educational Management and Planning, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria Author
  • Evelyn Chris-Ben Akpan Curriculum Studies, Educational Management and Planning, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria Author
  • Ifiok Okon Thompson Curriculum Studies, Educational Management and Planning, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria Author
  • Daniel Joshua Ikot Educational Management and Planning, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64229/gynha760

Keywords:

Socioeconomic Factors, Youths’ Declining Interest, Tertiary Education, Yahoo-Yahoo (Cybercrime), Cross River State

Abstract

This study investigated the extent to which socioeconomic factors predict youths’ declining interest in tertiary education in Cross River State within the context of the rising influence of cybercrime popularly known as “Yahoo-Yahoo.” Using a quantitative correlational research design, data were collected from 278 youths selected through a multistage cluster sampling procedure. Results from the multiple regression analysis revealed that economic, social, and school-related factors jointly accounted for 50.7% of the variance in youths’ declining interest in tertiary education (R = .712; p < .001). Economic factors emerged as the strongest predictor, followed by social and school-related factors. The findings suggest that rising tuition costs, persistent graduate unemployment, peer influence, social media trends, poor learning environments, and the attraction to quick financial gains through cybercrime significantly diminish the perceived value of higher education among young people. The study concludes that the declining interest in tertiary education is a reflection of broader socioeconomic challenges rather than mere personal choice.

References

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Published

2025-12-02

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Bassey John Okoi, Evelyn Chris-Ben Akpan, Ifiok Okon Thompson Daniel Joshua Ikot (Author)

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