UNESCO Celebrates 60 Years of Literacy Efforts Amid Challenges

On 8 September, UNESCO commemorated the sixtieth International Literacy Day in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico, a day established in 1966 to eradicate illiteracy. Despite progress, with global adult literacy rising from 65% in the mid-1970s to 88% today, challenges remain, particularly in Nigeria, which has over 18 million out-of-school children.

National literacy figures in Nigeria reveal stark regional and gender disparities; southern regions have higher literacy rates compared to the north, where girls face barriers such as early marriage and poverty, while boys are often withdrawn for labor. The Federal Government's Renewed Hope Agenda prioritizes education, with Dr Tunji Alausa leading reforms through the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative, focusing on improving teacher quality, vocational education, and reducing the out-of-school population.