By Adeniji Samuel
The Federal Government has renewed its determination to eradicate youth and adult illiteracy in Nigeria through the repositioning of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC), expansion of learning centres nationwide and increased investment in inclusive, lifelong and non-formal education.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, disclosed this in Abuja at a press briefing organised by the Federal Ministry of Education ahead of the commemoration of the 2026 International Literacy Day, which will be observed globally on September 8 under the theme, “Literacy for People, the Planet and Prosperity.”
Prof. Said Ahmad described literacy as a fundamental pillar of human dignity, sustainable development and shared prosperity, stressing that its meaning in the modern world goes beyond the ability to read and write.
According to the Minister, literacy must also equip citizens with the knowledge, vocational competencies and digital skills required to participate effectively in society, improve their livelihoods and take advantage of emerging economic opportunities.
She explained that the 2026 theme highlights the need to connect literacy with everyday realities, including employment, vocational education, digital technology, economic participation, environmental responsibility and improved living standards.
Against this background, the Minister said the Federal Government was strengthening and repositioning NMEC as the lead federal institution responsible for driving mass literacy, adult education and non-formal education across the country.
She identified the restoration of NMEC’s autonomy as a significant milestone that would enhance the Commission’s ability to plan, coordinate and implement literacy programmes while improving accountability and institutional effectiveness.
Prof. Said Ahmad also acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the restoration of the Commission’s autonomy, describing the development as an important step towards giving mass literacy and lifelong learning greater national attention.
She disclosed that the government was simultaneously addressing some of the longstanding challenges confronting NMEC through the rehabilitation of the National Centre for Adult Education in Kano, development of education infrastructure across the country and efforts to provide the Commission with a permanent corporate headquarters.
“This is not merely an infrastructural project. It is a statement of our determination to give literacy and lifelong learning the visibility, dignity and national prominence they deserve,” she emphasised.
The Minister further announced that learning centres were being activated across the country to provide opportunities for youths and adults who were unable to benefit from formal education.
She explained that NMEC personnel would serve as facilitators to strengthen the sustainability of the programmes while also helping to address the longstanding challenge associated with the payment of facilitators’ stipends.
Prof. Said Ahmad stressed the importance of connecting literacy programmes with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), particularly through the development of the NMEC Kano regional office as a centre for vocational training and practical skills acquisition.
She said such an approach would enable literacy programmes to move beyond basic reading and writing and provide beneficiaries with practical competencies capable of improving their economic prospects.
On digital inclusion, the Minister said the Federal Ministry of Education was taking deliberate measures to ensure that rural and underserved communities were not excluded from the opportunities presented by the digital economy.
She disclosed that Teacher Professional Development was increasingly being digitised and integrated with artificial intelligence to make training more interactive and accessible, including through simple Android-enabled devices.
The Minister also tasked the new leadership of NMEC with increasing the visibility of the Commission, aligning its programmes with measurable targets and strengthening engagement with the media and other stakeholders.
She emphasised that the Federal Government could not tackle the scale of Nigeria’s literacy challenge alone and called for an all-hands-on-deck approach involving state and local governments, development partners, civil society organisations, traditional and religious institutions, the private sector, community leaders and the media.
Prof. Said Ahmad urged stakeholders to work closely with NMEC to take literacy programmes to underserved and hard-to-reach communities, while encouraging Nigerians to renew their commitment to creating a society where every youth and adult can read, write, acquire useful skills and access lifelong learning opportunities.
UNESCO Pledges Continued Support
In a goodwill message, the UNESCO representative, Mr. Oladeji Adeyemi, reaffirmed the organisation’s solidarity with Nigeria and its commitment to supporting the country’s literacy and lifelong-learning initiatives.
Mr. Adeyemi noted that literacy increasingly determines how individuals understand information, make informed decisions, exercise their rights, participate in society and respond to economic and environmental challenges.
Citing UNESCO estimates, he disclosed that at least 739 million adults globally still lack basic literacy skills, underscoring the need for sustained international and national efforts to close existing literacy gaps.
He reaffirmed UNESCO’s readiness to continue working with the Federal Ministry of Education, NMEC and other partners to strengthen education policies, build teacher capacity and expand learning opportunities for vulnerable and underserved populations.
NMEC Targets Better Data, Greater Visibility
The Executive Secretary of NMEC, Prof. Muhammed Dahiru Shuni, welcomed the restoration of the Commission’s autonomy, describing it as essential to revitalising its programmes and improving its visibility and effectiveness nationwide.
Prof. Shuni identified the availability of accurate and up-to-date literacy data as one of the Commission’s immediate priorities.
He noted that a significant portion of the data previously available to NMEC dated back to 2010, making updated information necessary for effective planning, programme implementation and policy development.
He disclosed that field activities had commenced to collect current data that would provide a clearer picture of literacy needs across the country and guide future interventions.
The Executive Secretary expressed appreciation to the Minister of State for Education, UNESCO, officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, development and private-sector partners, state and local governments, civil society organisations and the media for their support.
He assured that NMEC would continue to work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind in the pursuit of a literate, skilled and prosperous society.
As Nigeria joins the global community to mark the 2026 International Literacy Day, the Federal Government said its renewed focus on literacy, digital inclusion, skills development and lifelong learning is aimed at creating greater opportunities for Nigerians while strengthening the foundation for sustainable national development.
The commemoration therefore serves not only as a celebration of literacy but also as a renewed call for collective action to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of age or location, has the opportunity to learn, acquire relevant skills and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Adeniji Samuel
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