The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has described Nigeria’s worsening literacy crisis as a “national emergency,” warning that millions of out-of-school children are being condemned to poverty, exclusion, and crime unless urgent action is taken.

In a statement issued yesterday to mark this year’s International Literacy Day, themed “Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era: Bridging the Gap,” NAS Cap’n, Dr Joseph Oteri, said the scale of Nigeria’s challenge is unprecedented.

“Despite being Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria harbours the world’s highest number of out-of-school children. UNICEF puts the figure at 10.2 million children of primary school age, while UNESCO estimates it rises to 18.3 million when adolescents are included. In real terms, one in every five out-of-school children worldwide is Nigerian,” Oteri stated.

He noted that this crisis undermines the country’s ability to meet global development benchmarks, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relating to quality education, poverty reduction, gender equality, and reduced inequalities.

According to him, persistent obstacles such as insecurity, poverty, child labour, gender discrimination, and poor infrastructure continue to push millions of children out of school and into risky environments where they are exposed to drugs, crime, exploitation, and even trafficking.

“Literacy in the 21st Century must be holistic, inclusive, and digitally empowered. Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful development while millions of its children remain uneducated, digitally excluded, and socially disenfranchised,” Oteri stressed.

The NAS leader also raised concerns over Nigeria’s growing digital divide. He explained that while children in urban centres increasingly benefit from technology-enabled learning, millions in rural communities remain locked out due to a lack of affordable internet, digital devices, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centres.

“This uneven access is widening inequality and could create a generation of digitally illiterate citizens in a world driven by knowledge and innovation,” he warned.