Why Nigeria grapples with high illiteracy rate —Scholars

SCHOLARS in Adult Education has attributed the inability of Nigeria to control the rate of illiteracy in Nigeria, put currently at 60 million, to lack of political will, non-effective implementation of the policy on literacy education, as well as poor funding of the sub-sector.

Speaking at a symposium organised by the Department of Adult Education, University of Ibadan on Saturday, to mark this years’ International Literacy Day in Nigeria, Professor Oluyemisi Obilade stated that until Nigeria’s education policy makers give priority to literacy education and life skills development, the achievement of sustainable development goals would continue to remain elusive.

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According to her, no matter the research efforts of Nigerian universities in the area of curriculum development for illiteracy control, if there is nobody to fund an  implement them appropriately, the community service responsibilities in the area of Education for All by universities would be a waste of energy and resources.

Obilade lamented that Nigerian government is still paying lip service to literacy education despite the large numbers of illiterate people.

“Literacy education remains the effective tool to drive Nigerians out of poverty, and violence. We need to look inward to address our local reality of life. Let us move to the next level,” she said.

Also speaking at the event, renowned educationist, Professor Pai Obanya, admitted that different governments had put in place several efforts on the development of literacy education but the impact had not been felt owing to inadequate fund expended on the programme annually.

Obanya suggested that local governments should be empowered for the development of literacy education in the rural areas. He said local governments should develop literacy education policy and allocate resources and manpower to implement it.

Professor Rashid Aderinoye of the Department of Adult Education, University of Ibadan, in his paper also reiterated the importance of functional literacy education in nation building.

He commended the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Social Organisation (UNESCO) for its support for the development of literacy education in Nigeria.