70% of Nigerian children can’t read simple sentences — Official

A recent report from the National Human Capital Development Programme indicates that 70% of Nigerian children under the age of ten struggle to read and comprehend simple sentences. This alarming statistic highlights the country's growing learning crisis and the challenges it faces in producing a skilled workforce. National Human Capital Development 2.0 coordinator, Rukaiya el-Rufai, emphasized that attending school does not guarantee that children are developing the necessary literacy and numeracy skills required for economic participation.

The World Bank reports that learning poverty in Nigeria is as high as 85%, indicating that even those in school are not gaining sufficient knowledge. This learning deficit is particularly concerning for industries like Dangote Refinery, where advanced skills like geometry are required. Without addressing the gaps in basic education, Nigerian workers may struggle to meet the demands of technical jobs.

El-Rufai pointed out that the learning crisis extends beyond education, as it directly impacts the ability of young Nigerians to acquire sophisticated skills needed by various industries. The National Human Capital Development 2.0 program is addressing these issues by focusing on health, education, skills, and livelihoods. The program has identified six priority indicators, including under-five mortality, stunting, immunization, out-of-school children, learning poverty, and youth not in employment, education, or training.

The program is tailored to the unique challenges faced by different regions in Nigeria, recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach is insufficient. The program's director of advocacy and communications, Ms. Doosuur Zasha, stressed the importance of investing in human capital for Nigeria's economic development and urged the media to play a crucial role in monitoring progress and holding governments accountable for their spending.