World Literacy Day: NUJ urges Government to step up education efforts

As the world celebrates World Literacy Day, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on federal and state governments to intensify efforts toward improving literacy levels across the country, stressing that current initiatives remain inadequate to tackle the crisis.

Citing the latest Global Education Monitoring Report by UNESCO, NUJ highlighted that 251 million children worldwide are out of school, with only a one percent reduction since 2015. The report shows a worrying connection between illiteracy and extreme poverty, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

In Nigeria, the situation is even more alarming. A 2022 UNICEF report revealed that one in three Nigerian children is out of school, with 10.2 million at the primary level and 8.1 million in junior secondary school. It added that 1.12 million children have never attended school, while 5.9 million dropped out early.

The NUJ expressed concern that Nigeria’s out-of-school population now accounts for 15 percent of the global total, describing the figure as “outrageous and unsustainable.” The union also decried the declining quality of teachers and administrators, citing a 2024 BusinessDay report which indicated that education spending per child has stagnated since 2010, while government debt servicing nearly matches education expenditure.

The NUJ lamented that the sector’s challenges are worsened by the exodus of teachers seeking better opportunities abroad, leaving schools short-staffed and further weakening the system.

“The Nigeria Union of Journalists calls on governments and institutions to rise to the challenge of making our people literate through deliberate policies, investments, and improved incentives for educators.”

“A new, positive chapter must be written on this troubling issue,” said NUJ National Secretary, Achike Chude.