70% of Nigerian children under 10 cannot read simple sentences, official says
The National Coordinator of Human Capital Development 2.0, Rukaiya el-Rufai, said about 70 per cent of Nigerian children under 10 cannot read and understand a simple sentence. She spoke at a media engagement in Abuja on Monday and said the programme is focusing on health, education, skills and livelihoods.
What the institution said
About 70 per cent of Nigerian children under 10 cannot read and understand a simple sentence.
“About 70 per cent of Nigerian children under 10 cannot read and understand a simple sentence”
Rukaiya el-Rufai is the National Coordinator of Human Capital Development 2.0 and Special Adviser to the President on the National Economic Council and Climate Change.
“The National Coordinator of Human Capital Development 2.0 and Special Adviser to the President on the National Economic Council and Climate Change, Rukaiya el-Rufai”
The media engagement took place on Monday in Abuja.
“at a media engagement on the nation’s human capital development strategy on Monday in Abuja”
The World Bank puts numeracy and English skills for ages 10 to 12 at 85 per cent.
“the World Bank puts it at 85 per cent”
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The Human Capital Development 2.0 programme is focusing on health, education, skills and livelihoods.
“focusing on health, education, skills and livelihoods”
Six priority indicators were selected, including under-five mortality, stunting, immunisation, out-of-school children, learning poverty and youth not in employment, education or training.
“six priority indicators had been selected, including under-five mortality, stunting, immunisation, out-of-school children, learning poverty and youth not in employment, education or training”
The programme is implemented through the National Economic Council.
“The programme is being implemented through the National Economic Council”
Ms Doosuur Zasha is the Director of Advocacy and Communications at the programme.
“the Director of Advocacy and Communications at the programme, Ms Doosuur Zasha”
The HCD 2.0 programme is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Aliko Dangote Foundation.
“including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Aliko Dangote Foundation”
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Punch, educationPublished by the institution on Tue, 06 Oct 2026 08:31:36 +0000. We summarise and link; we do not reproduce their notice.
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