62 million Nigerians are illiterates, says UNESCO

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UNESCO
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The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, on Monday disclosed that over 62 million Nigerians are illiterates in recent conducted research.

The National Programme Officer, UNESCO Regional office in Abuja, Muhammad Alkali, disclosed this at an international workshop on Teaching and Learning organized by Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti.

Alkali who describing the menace as dangerous to the development of the country, canvassed the full embrace of ICT not only to increase quality of education, but also for more Nigerians to have access to
education.

The UNESCO officer it will take Nigeria at least 58 years to overcome illiteracy, even with innovations like Information and Communications Technology and other learning mechanisms.

Just as Pakistan, Alkali, said the full introduction of ICT into Nigeria’s educational system would strengthen democratic and transparent educational planning and management, and also every citizen to contribute to knowledge-based economy.

He said the mobile system of education helps to make learning very flexible, particularly in a situation where resources are scarce, thereby fettering citizens’ access to education.

“UNESCO is targeting drop-outs which are predominant in JSS2 going by available research in Nigeria. We are seriously concerned and worried with increasing illiteracy in Africa. We 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. Nigeria needs 58 years to banish illiteracy and this is going to be hectic”,
he said.

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