UNICEF data show stark regional disparities with literacy rates in Nigeria
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has declared a “learning emergency” in Nigeria, revealing that 45 million children aged 7-14 cannot read a simple sentence.
UNICEF data show stark regional disparities, with literacy rates as low as 9.4% in the North-west and as high as 55.8% in the South-east. Numeracy rates follow a similar pattern, exposing a severe gap between school enrollment and actual learning outcomes.
Alausa outlined the Federal Ministry of Education’s reform package, including pre-service teacher training, capacity building, digital education, school grading, results-based financing, and partnerships with private schools.
Language-in-education policies remain central, but implementation is hindered by Nigeria’s linguistic diversity, limited teaching materials in indigenous languages, uneven teacher deployment, and regional preference for English.
The minister emphasised that effective learning begins with comprehension. Nigeria’s five-pronged approach seeks to renew policies, enhance teacher capacity, develop inclusive curricula and materials, and integrate technology to ensure that no child is disadvantaged by language.
He argued that these measures, aligned with SDG 4 and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa, will equip learners with foundational skills, confidence, and opportunity to thrive nationally and globally.
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