The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigerians to embrace literacy as a cornerstone for strengthening national identity, fostering social cohesion, and reducing poverty across the country.
In a statement signed by Paul Odenyi, Deputy Director, Communication and Media, NOA, the Director General of the Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the 2025 World Literacy Day provided an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the transformative role of literacy in building an inclusive and equitable society.
According to Issa-Onilu, literacy is not limited to the ability to read and write but remains a gateway to knowledge, innovation, and active participation in the democratic process.
He appealed to parents, teachers, community leaders, policymakers, and civil society groups to renew their commitment to advancing literacy as a shared responsibility. He also called for the revitalisation of public and community libraries as hubs of knowledge and civic engagement.
The NOA boss further encouraged Nigerians to embrace digital literacy to remain relevant in the 21st-century knowledge economy, while urging stronger support for education initiatives that empower women, girls, and other vulnerable groups.
Reaffirming NOA’s resolve to use its nationwide structures to mobilise stakeholders, Issa-Onilu stressed that literacy is key to social cohesion and sustainable development.
“A literate Nigeria is a stronger Nigeria. Together, let us make reading and learning a culture that defines us as a people,” he said.
