The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has painted a grim picture of literacy level in Nigeria despite the feats attained in education.
The organization revealed that it will take 58 years to banish illiteracy among the Nigerian populace despite the exposure to Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
According to UNESCO, over 62 million Nigerians, nearly half of its population are illiterates, a situation it described as “very dangerous” to the development of the country.
These revelations came to light at an international workshop on Learning and Teaching held on Monday at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD).
The National Programme Officer, UNESCO Regional Office in Abuja, Dr. Muhammad Alkali, said the body is seriously concerned about the high rate of illiteracy in Nigeria and other African countries.
Canvassing the full embrace of ICT, Alkali noted that it would give more Nigerians access to education and also increase the quality of education.
Alkali said: “UNESCO is targeting drop-outs which are predominant in JSS 2 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.
ABUAD Founder and Chancellor, Aare Afe Babalola, said the institution has identified ICT as a veritable platform to improve academic standards and boost learning and scholarship.
Babalola said: “The emergence of social networks like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn had 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. This is aimed at nurturing students with novel technologies critical to sustaining their academic and professional careers.”
The Nation
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