The literacy crisis in Nigeria’s North East is not just an educational issue; it is a multifaceted challenge that intertwines with health, economic stability, security and broader social implications. With reports indicating a nine per cent illiteracy level in this region, it is imperative for stakeholders to recognise the urgency of this matter and implement effective strategies to address it because of the socio-economic consequences.
A United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report indicates that only 26 per cent of Nigerian children possess basic reading and mathematics skills, which directly impacts their health literacy. Poor health literacy can lead to increased morbidity and mortality rates, particularly among vulnerable populations such as women and children.
The six emirs in Bauchi State expressed concerns as the UNICEF reeled out data on children with reading skills, which stood at 9 per cent among kids aged 7-14. According to UNICEF, the State Education Sector Plan indicated that the total number of public primary schools is 3,295, with only 448 Early Childhood Centres (ECD) despite the policy that clearly stated that each primary school should have a functional ECD centre, while the number of Junior Secondary Schools stands at 784. “All this contributes to the distance of schools from home and the high pupil-classroom ratio,” it said.
The newly posted UNICEF Chief of Field Office Bauchi, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, while speaking at a one-day community mobilisation and back-to-school campaign taken to the emirs at the Palace of Dr. Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu in Bauchi, said that the learning outcome for children at the basic education level in the country has the worst indicator, especially in the northeast.
She said, “In Bauchi, the early childhood development index indicated that only 26 per cent of children are on track, the foundational reading skills for ages 7-14 stand at nine per cent, while the foundational numeracy for the same age category stands at eight per cent.
“Numerous obstacles prevent consistent learning achievement, school attendance, timely enrollment, and completion. Some of these obstacles include inadequate evidence-based policy and planning, limited budget allocation, significant shortages of qualified teachers and classrooms, poor infrastructure, poor teachers’ remuneration, cultural norms, health and safety worries, and dependence on children for income and household tasks. The situation, she said, “calls for a concerted effort by the relevant stakeholders to address these challenges.”
Firstly, the link between literacy and health outcomes is well-established. Illiteracy hinders individuals’ ability to understand health information, follow medical instructions, and access healthcare services. In the North East, where healthcare systems are already strained due to insecurity and economic hardship, low literacy exacerbates the situation.
Secondly, low literacy levels stifle economic growth and perpetuate poverty. The former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, noted that low literacy directly correlates with reduced workforce productivity and limited entrepreneurial innovation. In the North East, where economic opportunities are already scarce due to conflict and instability, the inability to read or write further marginalises individuals and communities. This lack of education restricts access to better job prospects and contributes to a cycle of poverty that is difficult to escape.
Thirdly, the security situation in Nigeria’s North East is dire, with ongoing conflicts leading to widespread displacement and school closures. For instance, the closure of 113 schools in 2022-2023 due to armed attacks highlights the urgent need for educational interventions because low literacy rates contribute to social instability; individuals who lack education are often more susceptible to extremist ideologies. Therefore, by promoting literacy, stakeholders can help foster critical thinking skills that empower individuals to reject violence and engage positively with their communities.
Fourthly, the social fabric of communities in the North East is deeply affected by illiteracy. A further examination of this shows that gender disparities are pronounced, with girls facing significant barriers to education due to cultural norms and economic constraints. This not only limits women’s opportunities but also affects family health outcomes; because studies have shown that educated women are more likely to prioritise their children’s education and health. Thus, promoting literacy among women can lead to healthier families and stronger communities.
So, despite the Federal Ministry of Education’s strides in addressing literacy, there is a need for improvement requiring a turnaround of the situation; and the ministry must adopt more innovative approaches.
As such, an integrated curriculum that combines health education with literacy training, ensuring students understand essential health practices while learning to read should be developed. The government should also engage communities and launch campaigns that involve local leaders in promoting education as a community priority to help shift cultural attitudes towards female education. Similarly, the government should increase funding for educational infrastructure in the North East. UNICEF has also noted that Nigeria’s education budget remains far below UNESCO’s recommendations.
Furthermore, Local Government actions are required to address this ugly situation. Local governments should focus on incentives for education by providing financial support or scholarships for families who keep their children in school; and implement adult literacy programmes targeting adults who missed educational opportunities during their youth.
In addition, there should be health sector collaborations and healthcare providers can play a crucial role by carrying out health literacy campaigns; developing materials that communicate health information clearly and simply for low-literacy populations. Again, there should be training of health workers to equip their workers with skills to effectively communicate with patients who may struggle with understanding medical advice.
It is obvious that addressing the literacy crisis in Nigeria’s North East is essential for improving health outcomes, fostering economic growth, enhancing security and strengthening social cohesion. Achieving these requires stakeholders’ collaboration on comprehensive strategies that prioritise education as a means of empowerment. So, by investing in literacy initiatives today, Nigeria can pave the way for a healthier, more prosperous future for all its citizens.
Addressing the literacy crisis in Nigeria’s North East is essential for improving health outcomes, fostering economic growth, enhancing security and strengthening social cohesion.
