70% of Nigerian children cannot read with meaning – Report

The National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA-NIGERIA) has expressed concern over a recent report indicating that 70 per cent of children in Nigeria cannot read with meaning or solve simple mathematical problems.

The finding was part of the Nigeria Measuring of Learning Achievement report which highlighted significant deficiencies in the country’s education system.

Dr David Shofoyeke, Director General of NIEPA, addressed the issue while opening a seven-day training workshop for 60 head teachers, education officers and principals on effective school management in the 21st Century for the North Wes.

Represented by Dr Grace Tolulope, Dr Shofoyeke emphasised that the Teachers Development Programme was crucial to addressing the poor quality of education, prompting the institute to initiate the training in the region.

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“The state of basic education indicates that 70 per cent of children in Nigeria cannot read with meaning or solve simple math problems,” he stated.

He noted that only 49 per cent and 55 per cent of children in school achieved basic proficiency in literacy and numeracy respectively. 

The National Assessment on Learning in Basic Education in Nigeria (NALABE, 2018) report also showed that the national mean scores in math and English Language were 64.40 per cent and 63.43 per cent respectively.