The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised concerns about the learning crisis in Nigeria, asserting that it is hindering the country’s development.
During a media workshop on foundational literacy and numeracy in Benin, Edo State, Mrs. Yetunde Oluwatosin, a UNICEF education specialist, highlighted the detrimental impact of the learning crisis on Nigeria’s development.
The workshop, themed“Turning the Tide on Nigeria’s Learning Crisis, A South-West Media Dialogue on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy” was organized by UNICEF in collaboration with Edo State SUBEB, Edo State Ministry of Education, and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Lagos State Directorate.
Oluwatosin revealed that 73 percent of 10-year-olds in Nigeria struggle with reading and comprehending simple text, while 9 out of 10 children in Sub-Saharan Africa face learning poverty.
She noted that only 63 percent of 5-year-olds, primarily in rural and northern regions, participate in organized learning, resulting in delayed primary school entry and poor learning outcomes.
The UNICEF education specialist emphasized that 3 out of 4 Nigerian children cannot read with understanding or solve basic mathematical problems.
Furthermore, she highlighted the discrepancy in literacy and ICT skills among Nigerian youth, with only 7 percent possessing the necessary digital skills for today’s economy.
Oluwatosin cited challenges such as limited infrastructure, teacher shortages, and insufficient learning data as contributing factors.
She mentioned UNICEF’s efforts to improve teaching quality and learning materials, reaching over 1.8 million children between 2018 and 2022, with plans to reach an additional 4.8 million by 2027, primarily in the north.
Oluwatosin stressed the importance of foundational learning skills to reverse the learning crisis trend and enhance primary school learning outcomes in Nigeria.
Ms. Blessing Ejiofor, UNICEF Communication Officer, called on the media to influence policies that improve learning outcomes for Nigerian children, emphasizing the need for positive actions from decision-makers.
Dr. Joan Oviawe, Edo State Commissioner for Education, commended UNICEF’s efforts to reduce learning poverty in the state, highlighting initiatives to address literacy and inclusivity in education.
She expressed the state’s commitment to providing accessible and structured learning opportunities for all, including out-of-school populations, through technology and teacher support programs.