INTRODUCTION OF ADULT EDUCATION NIGERIA

 Adult Education Department in Nigeria

1. Introduction

The Federal Republic of Nigeria, located on the western part of the African continent, consists of 36 states with Abuja as the Federal Capital Territory. Nigeria has a rich cultural heritage. The country has an area of 923,768 sq.km and is inhabited by over 133 million people. It is a country blessed with human and natural resources, however not without its own share of problems. The Adult Education Council in Nigeria has its vision of the Nigerian society as a nation where the citizens are conscious and aware of their civic responsibilities and seek to maintain a peaceful and progressive country. This society, according to the vision, is one that lives out the social justice commitment that is stated in the National Policy on Education, where learning is not just confined to the four walls of a classroom or the prime of one's youth, but is a lifelong process. The Nigerian National Council of Adult Education is made up of the general and the executive councils. The General Council is the highest policy-making body and is made up of 80 members and is headed by the President, Alhaji Muhammed Jega. He is assisted by four Vice Presidents and presides over delegates of the 36 states and the Federal capital. The role of the Federal Government in the adult and non-formal education sub-sector has been vital over the years. It has evolved various programs aimed at eradicating illiteracy and raising the level of public awareness in the country. These programs have been influenced by various national and international conferences and seminars on adult education. The convergence of thought and practice on the issue of literacy and adult primary education culminated in the National Policy on Education. This policy has put the education of adults and out-of-school youths high on the priority of educational pursuits in Nigeria.

1.1 Overview of Adult Education Department

The National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-formal Education (NMEC) was established by Decree 12 of 1989 to succeed the former National Mass Education Commission. Its task is to eradicate illiteracy, promote mass literacy, and encourage lifelong education for all. In 1981, the National Policy of Education led to the establishment of the Mass Education Department in the Federal Ministry of Education, with the objective of eradicating illiteracy and providing education for all Nigerian citizens, using non-formal education methods. In 1987, it was reconstituted as the National Mass Education Commission, and in 1989, transformed into the present NMEC. Over the years, the NMEC has continued to provide the required direction and impact on policy, planning, and programming for adult and non-formal education in the country, and has also continued to increase access to literacy and continuing education for all adults. The establishment of NMEC was a direct consequence of the Jomtien World Conference on Education For All, in Thailand, 1990, which placed emphasis on access to education and basic skill acquisition for the majority of the people of the world, and its relevance to their needs and the needs of society. A major landmark in adult education in Nigeria in more recent years was Nigeria's hosting of the International Conference on the Eradication of Illiteracy in 1990, which provided the opportunity to spotlight the problems of illiteracy and active participation of the Nigerian adult learners in determining