FG pledges repositioning non-formal education to tackle literacy, unemployment
The National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC) has reiterated its commitment to repositioning the adult and non-formal education sector in Nigeria to help adults and vulnerable out-of-school youths acquire literacy and vocational skills for self-reliance. The Acting Executive Secretary of the commission, John Onimisi Edeh, stated this during the presentation of […]
The National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC) has reiterated its commitment to repositioning the adult and non-formal education sector in Nigeria to help adults and vulnerable out-of-school youths acquire literacy and vocational skills for self-reliance.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the commission, John Onimisi Edeh, stated this during the presentation of vocational equipment to beneficiaries in the South-South under its Literacy Through Economic Empowerment Strategy (LEES).
Represented by Jane Nnenna Ejieji, Director of Vocational and Continuous Education, he said the initiative aims to make non-formal education more attractive and dispel misconceptions that it is ineffective.
“LEES provides hands-on training that equips adults and youths with functional literacy and entrepreneurial skills to pursue income-generating activities,” he said.
Edeh said illiteracy persists in Nigeria despite decades of intervention, worsened by out-of-school children, unemployed youths, gender inequality, socio-economic barriers, and the growing number of children in school without learning outcomes.
He stressed that Nigeria’s development, stability, and economic prosperity depend on providing functional, inclusive education.
Citizens, he noted, must possess literacy, numeracy, and digital competence to thrive in a fast-changing society.
Beneficiaries trained in six trades, including catering, fashion, hairdressing, barbing, shoemaking and makeup, received empowerment tools such as sewing machines, ovens, gas cylinders and generators.
Mrs. Ibrahim Ivory, a state agency director, urged participants to seize the “golden opportunity” to improve their livelihoods, noting that such support was rare.