By Omoyeni Ojeifo
In a major policy shift targeting adult illiteracy, the Federal Government has reinstated operational autonomy to the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC)
while expanding community-based learning facilities for citizens outside the formal education system.
The initiative is aimed at expanding access to literacy and non-formal education, particularly for Nigerians who missed out on formal schooling or could not complete their education.
Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad Minister of State for Education, disclosed the development on Friday in Abuja at a press briefing to mark the 2026 International Literacy Day, with the theme: “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity”, PerSecondNews correspondent reports.
Ahmad described the restoration of the Commission’s autonomy as a major step towards strengthening Nigeria’s mass literacy and non-formal education programmes, while acknowledging the support of the Presidency.
“A major milestone in this effort is the full restoration of academic autonomy, a critical step for a healthy plan for education,” she said.
“For too long, the Commission has operated under significant constraints. We are now addressing these challenges head-on.”
According to her, the Federal Government is also expanding infrastructure for adult and non-formal education, including the establishment of a new National Centre for Adult Education and plans for a permanent headquarters for NMEC.
“Community learning centres are also being activated, with NMEC staff expected to serve as instructors, particularly in communities where access to formal education remains limited,” she added.
Ahmad explained that the centres will provide flexible learning opportunities for young people and adults who were unable to access or complete formal education.
“This innovative approach addresses the perennial challenge of sustaining participatory students while expanding access to literacy opportunities.”
“The centres will provide flexible, accessible pathways for young people and adults who miss out on formal education,” the minister emphasized.
She called for greater involvement of stakeholders outside government, saying the scale of youth and adult illiteracy requires a collective response.
Ahmad also expressed confidence that Nigeria was making significant progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4, which focuses on quality and inclusive education.
“I can assure you that we have gone very far in terms of achieving SDG 4. SDG 4 is not just about adult literacy, but about education generally. I can assure you we are very well on track.”
The minister also addressed concerns over the possible exclusion of rural teachers as digital technology and artificial intelligence become increasingly important in teacher training.
“We are very conscious of that. We are ensuring that both rural and urban teachers, because of your location, are not at a disadvantage,” she said.
She urged the new leadership of NMEC to be more proactive and inclusive in the discharge of its mandate.
“You need to do more. You need to be more proactive. Ensure that whatever you do, you carry along every sector.”
She reaffirmed the administration’s determination to expand lifelong and continuing education as part of its broader strategy to eliminate illiteracy.
“Our mission is clear, to eradicate illiteracy and provide inclusive, lifelong, non-formal, and continuing education for sustainable development”.
On his part, the new Executive Secretary of NMEC, Prof. Dahiru Muhammad Shuni, raised concerns over the absence of recent national figures needed to properly assess the country’s literacy situation.
Shuni revealed that the most recent literacy data available to the Commission was collected in 2010, making it difficult to determine the current number of Nigerians affected by illiteracy.
“When I came in, the first thing I asked was to obtain the data. I was informed that the data available was obtained since 2010.”
He described the situation as unacceptable, saying relevant authorities were working to obtain accurate and current data on the number of Nigerians affected by illiteracy.
“The new data, would help authorities better understand the scale of the problem and plan interventions based on the country’s current literacy needs”,Shuni stressed.
Also speaking, the Head of Education Sector at the UNESCO Abuja office, Mr. Oladeji Adeyemi, said global literacy had recorded significant improvement over the past decade, although millions of people were still affected by illiteracy.
Adeyemi reported that more than 88 per cent of the global population can now read and write, compared with roughly 65 per cent ten years ago.
Despite the improvement, he pointed out that millions of people worldwide remain without basic literacy skills, making continued investment in education necessary.
Adeyemi also highlighted Kano State as an example of what collaboration can achieve, pointing to UNESCO-supported programmes that have moved beyond basic reading, writing and numeracy.
He further pledged UNESCO’s continued partnership with Nigeria and other member-states in using literacy and education to support sustainable development.
Author
Leave a comment