The Federal Government has launched the Accelerated Basic Education (ABE) programme, a national initiative aimed at reaching approximately 80 million under-served, non-literate Nigerians, including youths and adults who are currently outside the formal education system.
The programme was formally unveiled during a one-day National Stakeholders Engagement Meeting on Youth and Adult Literacy, held in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, the ABE initiative is designed to provide inclusive, adaptable, and high-impact literacy interventions across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Ahmad, represented by her Special Assistant (Technical), Dr. Claris Ujam, said the programme will directly tackle the growing challenge of out-of-school children and adult illiteracy.
“This silent crisis suppresses individual potential and stalls national progress,” Ahmad said.
“Our mission is to craft pathways of hope, dignity, and opportunity through accelerated basic education.”
She emphasized that the ABE programme is more than just a literacy initiative, describing it as “a movement” that rejects age, geography, and circumstance as barriers to education.
A National Literacy Crisis
According to a 2022 report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), nearly 80 million Nigerians—representing 31% of the country’s estimated 250 million population—remain non-literate.
Prof. Ahmad urged Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders to expand community-based efforts, develop innovative learning models, and support the government in reaching the un-reached.
NMEC Speaks on Urgency and Implementation
In his remarks, Dr. John Edeh, Director of Literacy and Development at the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC), described the meeting as a critical platform for collaboration and bold action.
“Millions of young Nigerians remain outside the formal education system due to poverty, displacement, early school leaving, and other barriers,” Edeh noted.
“These young people deserve a second chance, and NMEC is committed to being that gateway.”
He said the Commission is adopting a flexible, community-based, and learner-centered approach to meet the needs of out-of-school populations.
Edeh outlined NMEC’s strategic focus areas to include:
Funding and resource mobilisation
Strengthening partnerships with government and civil society
Enhancing data collection and monitoring for planning and accountability
Promoting youth-friendly curricula
Integrating digital tools and innovation into non-formal education
He called on community leaders, donors, youth advocates, and programme implementers to partner with NMEC and ensure education access for the marginalised.
