About 75 million Nigerians are Illiterate – FG

The Federal Government on Thursday described the rate of illiteracy in Nigeria as alarming, saying between 65 and 75 million people are illiterate in the country. 

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, made the remark on Thursday when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State in Birnin Kebbi.

The minister was in the state for a two-day International Literacy Day conference organised by the National Commission for Mass Education.

Nigeria has an estimated population of 170 million people.

Mr. Adamu described the illiteracy figure figure as unbecoming and high, considering the country’s population.

“Education is the bedrock of any country’s development and any country that does not educate its populace is bound to fail.

“Unfortunately, in Nigeria we have a very large population of illiterates; the illiterates figure, considering our population, is unbecoming,’’ he said.