NMEC Tackles Out-of-School Children with Automated Data Collection

By DAYO ADESULU

The National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC) has launched a new initiative aimed at reducing Nigeria’s high population of out-of-school children through automated data collection. The programme, which began with a two-day training for enumerators in Abuja, is designed to identify, track, and reintegrate more than 500,000 learners in its first phase.

Digital Data Tools to Address Learning Gaps

Speaking at the opening session of the training, Acting Executive Secretary of NMEC, Dr. John Onimisi, said the exercise marked a renewed commitment by government to close the literacy gap in the country.

He explained that enumerators would use digital devices to capture data on young people aged 15 years and above who either dropped out of school or never had the opportunity to complete their education.

“Our target is to ensure that these learners are enrolled in non-formal learning centres and are able to complete the programme successfully. Some may also transit to vocational programmes after completion,” he said.

Dr. Onimisi stressed that the initiative was not limited to literacy alone, but would also focus on equipping participants with vocational skills that would improve their chances of economic empowerment.

National Rollout Across 774 LGAs

The programme is expected to cover all 774 local government areas across Nigeria. Already, 376 enumerators from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been onboarded, while 250 facilitators will help drive the exercise in Abuja.

According to the NMEC boss, the system will feature real-time monitoring via a digital dashboard linked to the National Identity Management System. This, he said, would ensure proper tracking and follow-up of learners across the federation.

“This is the first time since the 2010 National Literacy Survey that NMEC will be conducting such a large-scale data exercise, and the delay has largely been due to funding constraints,” he revealed.

Phased Implementation of Literacy Cycles

The programme will run in phases, with the first literacy cycle lasting between six to nine months, depending on the number of contact hours. Participants will undergo foundational learning, after which they may either continue to higher literacy stages or transition into vocational training programmes.

By integrating literacy with vocational education, NMEC hopes to provide both academic and practical pathways for learners who had previously been excluded from formal schooling.

Ministerial Backing and Stakeholder Support

The Acting Executive Secretary commended the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for their support in making the initiative possible. He stressed that the collaboration signified a renewed government commitment to addressing Nigeria’s education challenges, particularly the out-of-school crisis.

Also speaking at the training, the Director of Programmes at NMEC, Mr. Samuel Aziba, noted that the workshop would enable enumerators to adapt quickly to the use of digital devices for data collection. He added that pilot testing of the programme would begin in four locations within the FCT before the nationwide rollout.

Nigeria’s Literacy Challenge

Recent statistics highlight the urgent need for such interventions. NMEC disclosed that as of 2021, Nigeria had more than 30 million non-literate adults, making it one of the countries with the largest populations of out-of-school individuals globally.

Education experts argue that illiteracy and school dropouts remain key barriers to national development, as they affect workforce productivity, economic growth, and social stability. By leveraging digital tools for data collection, Nigeria is expected to gain more accurate insights into the scope of the problem and deploy better strategies for intervention.

Towards a Literate and Skilled Population

The automated data collection initiative reflects a growing shift in Nigeria’s education sector towards evidence-based planning. With accurate data, policymakers can better allocate resources, monitor progress, and ensure accountability in literacy and non-formal education programmes.

For many of the targeted learners, especially young people in rural areas and conflict-prone zones, the programme offers hope of a second chance at education. Experts also believe that integrating vocational training into the literacy framework will increase retention rates and equip participants with employable skills.

With the launch of automated data collection for literacy programmes, NMEC has taken a major step toward tackling Nigeria’s out-of-school challenge. By combining digital monitoring, nationwide coverage, and vocational opportunities, the initiative aims to return at least half a million learners to classrooms in its first phase, while setting the foundation for long-term reduction of illiteracy in the country.

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