NATIONAL POLICY ON ADULT AND NON-FORMAL EDUCATION

What Is This Policy?

The National Policy on Adult and Non-Formal Education provides the framework for delivering literacy, numeracy, vocational, and continuing education to Nigerians who are outside the formal school system. It governs evening classes, literacy centres, and skill acquisition programmes that serve adults, out-of-school youth, and persons who missed formal education opportunities.

Who Does It Target?

Illiterate and semi-literate adults (estimated at 26% of Nigerians above age 15, over 45 million people) Out-of-school adolescents aged 15 to 17 who need literacy and numeracy foundations Women in rural areas with low literacy rates, particularly in North-West and North-East Nigeria Pastoralists, nomadic communities, and migrants who cannot access fixed formal schools

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Achieve universal adult literacy for Nigerians above age 15 by 2030 in line with SDG 4.6 Deliver functional literacy and numeracy that adults can apply to their daily livelihoods, health, and civic participation Provide vocational and continuing education pathways for adults seeking to upgrade skills or change careers Reduce the gender literacy gap: women's literacy in Nigeria is approximately 67% compared to 78% for men (UIS 2021)

Key Features

Three Programme Tiers: Literacy and numeracy (foundation); Post-literacy and continuing education; Vocational and entrepreneurship skills Nomadic Education Integration: Special programmes for Fulani pastoralists, fishing communities, and migrant farmer communities using mobile and non-fixed delivery models State Agencies for Mass Education (SAME): Dedicated state-level agencies implement adult literacy classes through a network of community literacy centres across all 36 states Equivalency Programme: Adult learners who complete non-formal education programmes can receive certificates equivalent to formal primary and junior secondary school qualifications Language of Instruction: Instruction in major Nigerian languages (Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and 11 others) before transitioning to English for post-literacy learners Gender Priority: Targeted women's literacy programmes working through community women's groups, religious bodies, and cooperative societies

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active; revision planned under NESRI 2023 to align with SDG 4.6 and address the post-COVID literacy setback Implementing Body: National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC); State Agencies for Mass Education (SAMEs) Coverage: National; over 55,000 literacy centres across 36 states and FCT; 1.8 million adults enrolled annually Literacy Rate: Adult literacy stands at approximately 73% (2021); significant regional variation (North-West: 54%, South-West: 93%) Funding: Federal government allocation to NMEC, UBEC non-formal education grants, state government contributions

How to Access

Learners: Register at your nearest literacy centre through the State Agency for Mass Education (SAME); literacy classes are free of charge NGOs and Faith Bodies: Partner with NMEC or SAME to run literacy programmes and access instructional materials and facilitator training Contact: NMEC: nmec.gov.ng | Plot 653, Cadastral Zone C07, Wuye District, Abuja

Official Resources

Website: nmec.gov.ng Contact: NMEC, Plot 653, Cadastral Zone C07, Wuye District, Abuja | [email protected] Policy Summary | Source: NMEC, FME, UNESCO UIL Adult Education, UIS Nigeria Literacy Data, SDG 4 Nigeria Report | February 2026

Legal Framework

The National Policy on Adult and Non-Formal Education operates under the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC) Act, the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act 2004, and the National Policy on Education. It aligns with the UNESCO Convention on Literacy, the Education for All (EFA) Dakar Framework, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4 — Quality Education), particularly Target 4.6 on adult literacy and numeracy.