Literacy Rate: Nigeria

Analysis# Nigeria Literacy Rate Nigeria's literacy rate reached 70.41% in 2024, marking its all-time peak since records began in 1991. This represents a substantial 27.0 percentage point increase over the past three decades, though the rate remains below targets for a nation of Nigeria's size and economic potential. The current figure significantly exceeds the all-time low of 54.77% recorded in 2003, demonstrating meaningful progress in educational access and completion across the country. The trajectory reveals considerable volatility, particularly between 2003 and 2006, when literacy jumped 15.43 percentage points in just three years. After declining again to 58.22% by 2016, the rate has recovered steadily, climbing 12.19 points from 2016 to 2024. This recent upward momentum suggests strengthening educational infrastructure and enrollment initiatives, positioning Nigeria on a positive growth path for continued literacy expansion.