The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating youth and adult illiteracy in Nigeria through the expansion of literacy centres, strengthening of adult education institutions and increased access to lifelong learning opportunities.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, stated this on Friday at a ministerial press briefing in Abuja to commemorate the 2026 International Literacy Day, with the theme, ‘Literacy for People, Planet and Prosperity.’
She noted that the theme underscores the role of literacy in promoting human development, environmental sustainability and economic prosperity.
Ahmad said the Federal Government was committed to ensuring that literacy programmes were expanded across the country, particularly to underserved communities, while repositioning the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC) to effectively drive the national literacy campaign.
She said the government was strengthening NMEC’s operational capacity and addressing some of the longstanding challenges confronting the commission, including infrastructure deficits and the sustainability of literacy programmes.
According to her, facilities at the National Centre for Adult Education in Kano are being rehabilitated, while infrastructure is also being developed in other parts of the country.
She disclosed that learning centres were being activated nationwide, with NMEC personnel serving as facilitators to ensure continuity and sustainability of the programmes.
The minister also said the government was working to address the longstanding challenge of paying stipends to literacy facilitators, stressing that the sustainability of adult and non-formal education programmes remained critical to achieving meaningful results.
Ahmad noted that literacy had moved beyond the traditional ability to read and write, describing it as a foundation for human dignity, sustainable development and shared prosperity.
She said functional literacy would equip citizens with skills to participate in economic activities, acquire vocational and entrepreneurial skills, harness digital technologies and improve their livelihoods.
‘The government recognises that literacy must evolve alongside a rapidly changing world. Digital transformation, emerging technologies, climate change and changing economic realities require citizens to possess skills that go beyond traditional reading and writing,’ she said.
The minister stressed that the Federal Government could not tackle the country’s literacy deficit alone, calling for stronger collaboration among state and local governments, development partners, civil society organisations, traditional and religious institutions, the private sector, community leaders and the media.
She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with UNESCO and other development partners to build a literate, sustainable and prosperous society.
Ahmad said the government would continue to strengthen partnerships aimed at supporting education policies, building the capacity of teachers and facilitators and expanding learning opportunities for vulnerable populations, including children and young people in crisis-affected communities.
She urged Nigerians and stakeholders to renew their commitment to ensuring that no citizen was left behind in the pursuit of knowledge, skills and opportunities.
The UNESCO Representative and Head of Education Sector, UNESCO Abuja Office, Mr. Oladeji Adeyemi, commended Nigeria’s commitment to closing the literacy gap and pledged the organisation’s continued support for the country’s literacy agenda.
Adeyemi said the scale of global illiteracy remained urgent, noting that UNESCO estimates that at least 739 million adults worldwide still lack basic literacy skills.
He, however, said progress had been recorded globally, with more than 88 per cent of the world’s adult population now able to read and write, compared with about 65 per cent a decade ago.
He said Nigeria’s efforts to close its literacy gap formed part of the global drive to promote education for all.
According to him, UNESCO’s mandate places literacy at the core of education, not merely as an isolated skill but as a foundation for health, well-being, dignity and lifelong learning, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4.
Adeyemi said literacy was no longer confined to the classroom, as it increasingly shaped how individuals understood information, made decisions, knew their rights and participated in society.
He added that literacy also played an important role in helping communities respond to economic and environmental challenges.
The UNESCO representative reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to working with Nigeria and other stakeholders towards building a literate, sustainable and prosperous future.
He noted that ministers and stakeholders were gathering in Mexico for the global observance of International Literacy Day, while the Global Alliance for Literacy was also developing its 2026-2029 strategy.
Adeyemi said UNESCO would continue to work with the Federal Ministry of Education and sister United Nations agencies in supporting policies, strengthening teacher capacity and expanding learning opportunities for vulnerable populations.
He particularly highlighted the importance of reaching children and young people living in crisis-affected communities.