Abstract

The study examined the contributions of the ‘Literacy-by-radio’ programme to the promotion of basic literacy development in Nigeria. It would be pertinent to point out that Nigeria in April 2000 joined over 170 other countries that met in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, to reaffirm national commitment towards ensuring that they deliver the Education for All goals by 2015. To this end, the Nigerian Federal Government, through the National Commission for Mass Literacy Adult and Non-formal Education (NMEC) and in conjunction with her agencies in the thirty-six States of the Federation, began the literacy by radio programmes in 2002 on national and state radio stations across the Federation. This is with the aim of moving the country towards eliminating the scourge of poverty, ignorance, and illiteracy. The survey research method was used to carry out the study. Structured questionnaire and oral interview were used in collecting data among the 340 respondents selected from the six States in southwest Nigeria. The findings of the study showed that the ‘Literacy-by-radio’ programme has enhanced basic literacy promotion in the country. Some of the recommendations made include: State and Local Governments should create their versions of the ‘Literacy-by-radio’ programme to complement the ones being sponsored by the Federal Government; community radio stations should be established across rural communities in Nigeria to accommodate community participation in the programme; and up-to-date training should be organized for the facilitators handling the programme for them to be empowered with relevant information.