COE commission partners stakeholder to boost reading skills in Nigeria

The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) has partnered with Universal Learning Solutions (ULS) to advance the use of synthetic phonics in Nigerian schools. Synthetic phonics is a method of teaching reading in which children learn the sounds of letters (phonemes) and blend them to form words. At the signing of the reviewed Memorandum […]

The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) has partnered with Universal Learning Solutions (ULS) to advance the use of synthetic phonics in Nigerian schools.

Synthetic phonics is a method of teaching reading in which children learn the sounds of letters (phonemes) and blend them to form words.

At the signing of the reviewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of NCCE, Paulinus Okwelle, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to improving literacy outcomes through structured and evidence-based approaches to reading instruction.

Okwelle explained that the collaboration, which began in 2013, started with the training of directors and desk officers across various units of the commission in synthetic phonics using the Jolly Phonics programme.

According to him, the training was aimed at building internal capacity and aligning national teacher education standards with effective early reading methodologies.

The Chief Executive Officer of ULS, Gary Foxcroft, said the partnership reflects a shared vision for literacy excellence and long-term transformation in how reading is taught across Nigeria.