The Federal Government has unveiled a new literacy initiative targeting the enrollment of over 500,000 out-of-school children and adults in its first phase.
The programme, led by the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC), was launched in Abuja with the training of enumerators on digital data collection tools.
Acting NMEC Secretary, Dr. John Onimisi, explained that the scheme would capture young people aged 15 and above who either dropped out or never accessed formal schooling.
Beyond literacy, participants will gain access to vocational skills programmes to improve long-term opportunities.
The rollout will cover all 774 LGAs nationwide, with 376 trained enumerators and 250 facilitators already deployed in Abuja.
Data monitoring will be linked in real time to the National Identity Management System to ensure transparency.
Onimisi noted this marks the first major literacy survey since 2010, delayed due to funding gaps.
With over 30 million Nigerian adults classified as non-literate, the programme reflects renewed government commitment to bridging literacy and skills gaps. The first learning cycle is expected to run for six to nine months.
