United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) dropped a bomb shell over the weekend when it disclosed that over 62 million Nigerians are illiterate, adding that is inimical to the nation’s growth.
Besides, it said it would take 58 years to eradicate illiteracy, even with innovations like Information and Communications Technology and other learning mechanisms.
This startling revelation was made by UNESCO National Programme Officer, Dr. Muhammad Alkali at a global workshop on Teaching and Learning Methods organised by Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ado Ekiti yesterday.
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.
-Emmanuel Ikechukwu
