This paper examined empowerment of rural women as the foundation for the achievement of
the Millennium Development Goals in Nigeria. The paper highlighted the eight Millennium
Development Goals with their targets and indicators, the rate of illiteracy among women and
stresses the need to empower the rural women through adult literacy education based on the
fact that women empowerment is the central nerve for the achievement of all the MDGs. It was
observed that many development strategies often focus on women in the urban centres, thereby
neglecting the rural women who are more in number and vulnerable. The paper concludes that
not until when the rural women are adequately empowered, achievement of the MDGs in
Nigeria will be a mirage. Some suggestions were made so as to empower rural women for
effective participation and delivery in all aspects of the MDGS.