USL commends FG’s strides on early grade literacy 

The Universal Learning Solutions (ULS) has commended the Federal Government for its giant strides and leadership strength as demonstrated in the impressive gains in the early grade literacy assessment.

USL added that Nigeria had followed the path of other high-performing nations, such as Singapore and Ireland, where Jolly Phonics has contributed to outstanding international results, including in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). 

The Chief Executive Officer, ULS, Gary Foxcroft, make the remarks after the release of the results of the 2025 National Phonics Screening Exercise, which evaluated 72,127 pupils from across 33 states and the FCT. 

Foxcroft said findings confirmed that systematic and evidence-based Jolly Phonics instruction was driving significant improvements in early reading nationwide, with strong gains across letter-sound knowledge and word reading ability. 

His words, “Pupils taught using Jolly Phonics also performed better in both English and Hausa reading, demonstrating the transferable nature of phonics skills and their value in supporting bilingual literacy.”

Country Director, ULS, Patrick Uzu, who expressed pride in what he termed, ‘nationwide achievement’, said the results showed that “Jolly Phonics is transforming classrooms, building teacher confidence, and giving children the foundational reading skills they need to succeed.

“We are incredibly proud of what Nigeria’s teachers and learners have accomplished. Universal Learning Solutions is honoured to support this national effort, and we celebrate every teacher who has made these gains possible.

“This was the largest early-grade pupil assessment ever undertaken in Nigeria, and it reflects the dedication of thousands of people.”

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE