Learning Lag: Female Literacy Rates in Nigeria Dip
Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is sounding the alarm on a troubling trend: a decline in female enrollment in adult literacy programmes.
According to their 2022 Statistical Report on Women and Men in Nigeria, female participation dropped to 38.32% in 2022, down from a high of 46.10% in 2021.
This decrease comes despite overall growth in literacy initiatives. The report highlights a consistent gender gap, with male enrollment remaining higher across the board.
The report digs deeper, revealing similar patterns in primary and secondary education.
While female enrollment rates in public and private primary schools fluctuated slightly, they never reached parity with males.
The bright spot? Female enrollment in junior secondary schools actually rose in 2022, offering a glimmer of hope.
Looking beyond basic education, the report sheds light on teacher qualifications. It reveals a significant disparity in the number of uncertified teachers, with a much higher percentage of males lacking proper credentials across various educational levels.
Literacy goes beyond classroom learning. The NBS delves into media consumption habits, finding a significant gender gap in newspaper readership and computer use.
While mobile phone ownership is high for both genders, women lag behind men in using their phones to access the internet.
This report by the NBS paints a concerning picture of unequal educational opportunities for Nigerian women. Understanding these disparities is crucial for policymakers to bridge the gender gap and empower women through education and technology.
