Unesco estimates that it will take Nigeria another 58 years to totally eradicate illiteracy

UNITED Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has estimated that it will take Nigeria another 58 years to eradicate illiteracy as there are still 62m people in the country who lack the ability to read and write.

 

According to its latest report on Nigerian education, Unesco said that even with innovations like information and communications technology (ICT), it will not be easy and quick to eradicate illiteracy.  At an international workshop on teaching and learning organised by Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Unesco's national programme officer in Abuja, Muhammad Alkali, said, however, that information and communication technology would help.

 

He called for the full adoption of ICT not only to increase quality of education, but for more Nigerians to have access to education. Mr Alkali praised the university for placing a high premium on quality teaching and learning, adding that the full introduction of ICT into Nigeria's educational system as done in Pakistan, would help in strengthening democratic and transparent educational planning and management that would allow every citizen contribute to a knowledge-based economy.

 

Mr Alkali added: "Unesco is targeting drop-outs which are predominant in Junior secondary School Two, going by available research in Nigeria. We are seriously concerned and worried with increasing illiteracy in Africa, so are getting a place in the neighbourhood where they can be taught.

“Unless we are deceiving ourselves, ICT remains the best way to provide education now going by the experiences in Pakistan. With about 62m illiterates, Nigeria needs 58 years to banish illiteracy and this is going to be hectic.”

 

Also speaking at the event, Chief Afe Babalola, the founder of the university, said the 21st century presented challenges and opportunities for educational institutions to transform teaching and learning. He added that his university has identified ICT as a veritable platform to improve standards, stressing that the platform had been effective.

 

Chief Babalola said: “The emergence of social networks like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn have assumed a global dimension, offering opportunities to disseminate knowledge to students online. This university has developed vast array of IT infrastructures around the campus to facilitate teaching, learning and research."

 

Professor Michael Ajisafe, the vice chancellor of the institution, explained that the university has invested so much in ICT and it had afforded students access in many universities across the globe. He said the university is a reference point and leading light in quality education, given the extensive infrastructure available on campus to facilitate teaching and research.