The Federal Government on Tuesday unveiled two major initiatives targeting Nigeria’s out-of-school population, with a combined goal of enrolling 500,000 learners and educating one million underserved girls nationwide.
At the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Formal Education headquarters in Abuja, Acting Executive Secretary Dr. John Onimisi said the commission had begun training enumerators with automated data tools to identify school dropouts and those who never had access to education. He noted that the phased programme across 774 local government areas will provide literacy and vocational training, enabling some learners to transition into skills programmes.
In a related development, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) formally assumed management of the LUMINAH 2030 Initiative, a World Bank–backed programme launched in 2025 to empower one million girls by 2030. UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, explained that the initiative integrates schooling, skills training, caregiver support, and safe learning centres across 12 states.
Officials said both interventions reflect a renewed federal commitment to closing Nigeria’s literacy gap, with UNICEF estimating over 18 million children remain out of school, especially in the North-East and North-West.
Stakeholders, including the Neem Foundation, pledged support, calling the projects a transformative step against illiteracy, poverty, and gender inequality.
