NMEC: Insecurity and Poverty Fuel Out-of-School Youths

Dr. John Edeh, the director of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC), stated in an interview that insecurity and poverty are significant factors contributing to the rising number of out-of-school youths in Nigeria.

He explained that young people are increasingly seeking survival skills rather than traditional classroom education due to prevailing socio-economic conditions. Early marriage is also a contributing factor to this trend.

To address these challenges, NMEC has introduced an aggressive mobilization and sensitization campaign aimed at encouraging enrollment in literacy programs. The commission operates various programs, including basic literacy, post-literacy, and vocational training, designed to be flexible and accommodate learners' schedules.

These programs can run from six to nine months, depending on contact hours, and allow learners to choose their attendance days. Edeh emphasized the importance of addressing adult literacy through vocational education to help individuals acquire skills for economic survival.