The Federal Government has restored full institutional autonomy to the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC), even as it moves to obtain fresh data on the number of Nigerians still trapped in illiteracy.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad made the disclosure on Friday in Abuja while briefing journalists as part of activities marking the 2026 International Literacy Day, with the theme, “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity.”
Ahmad noted that the autonomy granted NMEC would strengthen its capacity to deliver mass literacy, adult and non-formal education programmes across the country, particularly among populations with limited access to conventional schooling.
She said: “A major milestone in this effort is the full restoration of academic autonomy, a critical step for a healthy plan for education. For too long, the Commission has operated under significant constraints. We are now addressing these challenges head-on.”
Beyond restoring the Commission’s autonomy, the minister said the Federal Government was expanding the infrastructure required to deliver adult and non-formal education, including plans for a new National Centre for Adult Education and a permanent headquarters for NMEC.
She also disclosed plans to activate community learning centres across the country, with NMEC personnel expected to serve as instructors, especially in communities where conventional educational opportunities remain out of reach.
According to the minister, the approach would give young people and adults who could not begin or complete formal education another opportunity to acquire literacy and other relevant skills.
“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.”
She urged stakeholders outside government to become more involved in the campaign, stressing that the scale of youth and adult illiteracy required a broad-based national response.
On Nigeria’s progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and quality education, Ahmad said the country was making considerable progress.
“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,” she said.
The minister also dismissed concerns that the growing use of digital technology and artificial intelligence in teacher training could widen the gap between rural and urban communities.
She assured that teachers in underserved communities would be incorporated into the emerging programmes.
“We are very conscious of that. We are ensuring that both rural and urban teachers, because of your location, are not at a disadvantage.”
Ahmad further tasked the new leadership of NMEC with adopting a more aggressive and inclusive approach to the Commission’s mandate, insisting that all relevant sectors must be carried along.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to tackling illiteracy, the minister said government would continue to expand opportunities for lifelong learning, particularly through inclusive and non-formal education.
“Our mission is clear, to eradicate illiteracy and provide inclusive, lifelong, non-formal, and continuing education for sustainable development,” she said.
The development came against the backdrop of an admission by the newly appointed Executive Secretary of NMEC, Prof. Dahiru Muhammad Shuni, that the country does not currently have reliable, up-to-date data on its literacy situation, with the available figures dating back to 2010.
Shuni said the outdated data was one of the first issues he sought to address upon assuming office.
“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 already working towards obtaining accurate and current figures on the population affected by illiteracy.
Also speaking, Head of Education Sector at the UNESCO Abuja office, Mr. Oladeji Adeyemi, said although global literacy levels had improved considerably over the past decade, millions of people remained unable to read and write.
Adeyemi said more than 88 per cent of the global population could now read and write, compared with about 65 per cent a decade ago.
He reaffirmed UNESCO’s readiness to continue working with Nigeria and other member states to promote literacy and education as tools for sustainable development.
Adeyemi who cited Kano State as an example of how partnerships could strengthen mass education, noted that UNESCO-supported programmes in the state had expanded beyond basic reading, writing and numeracy.
According to him, the programme had also incorporated health and well-being education through family-life initiatives.
