Address by the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) on the occasion of the International Literacy Day 2025
Theme: Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era: Bridging the Gap
The National Association of Seadogs (NAS) joins the global community in commemorating International Literacy Day 2025, a day dedicated to reaffirming literacy as a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of sustainable national development. Yet, for Nigeria, this commemoration is a grim reminder of the country’s deepening literacy crisis.
Despite Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria harbours the world’s highest number of out-of-school children (OOSC). According to UNICEF (2025), 10.2 million children of primary school age are not in school, while UNESCO estimates the figure rises to 18.3 million when adolescents are included. In real terms, one in every five out-of-school children worldwide is Nigerian.
This is a national emergency that jeopardises Nigeria’s ability to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially:
- SDG 4 – Quality Education
- SDG 1 – No Poverty
- SDG 5 – Gender Equality
- SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
Persistent obstacles continue to deny millions of Nigerian children access to education. These include poverty, insecurity, gender inequality, child labour, and decaying infrastructure. These conditions often push children into environments where they are exposed to crime, drugs, exploitation, and, in some tragic cases, trafficking, a systemic failure that undermines Nigeria’s future.
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the gap is widening further. While some children in urban centres benefit from technology-enabled learning, millions in rural communities remain excluded. Without affordable internet, digital devices, or community learning centres, Nigeria risks creating a generation of digitally illiterate citizens, deepening inequality, and stifling progress.
On this International Literacy Day, the National Association of Seadogs asserts that literacy in the 21st century must be holistic, inclusive, and digitally empowered. Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful development while millions of its children remain uneducated, digitally excluded, and socially disenfranchised.
As a member of the United Nation’s special consultative forum, NAS has shown commitment to addressing literacy issues in Nigeria through initiatives like the NAS Street Child Project and its “Back to School” support programs initiated to adopting children in need with free tuition support. Building on this commitment, NAS will launch its National Back to School Advocacy and Humanitarian Project from September 8 to October 8, 2025. During this month-long campaign, our chapters in Nigeria and across globe will combine advocacy with direct support to children and families, turning awareness into tangible impact and helping to make education a reality for thousands of Nigerian children.
We therefore call on all stakeholders, government, civil society, private sector, international partners, communities, and parents to act decisively. Specifically, NAS demands:
- Increased Public Investment: With strict monitoring, allocate at least 20% of annual educational budgets.
- Universal Basic Education Enforcement: Free, compulsory, and quality education for every child. Free and free of any hidden costs.
- Digital Inclusion:Provide affordable internet, digital devices, and community ICT centres nationwide.
- Social Protection:Expand school feeding programmes, conditional cash transfers, and community scholarships.
- Partnerships for Change: Strengthen collaborations between government, NGOs, faith-based organisations, and the private sector.
- Accountability and Governance: Extend anti-corruption measures to education, ensuring resources reach classrooms.
The cost of inaction is dire. Every child left uneducated today becomes a burden on society tomorrow. Literacy is more than the ability to read and write; it is the passport to economic participation, resilience against crime, and empowerment for citizenship.
On this International Literacy Day, the National Association of Seadogs reaffirms its commitment to championing literacy, digital inclusion, and social justice. Together, we can bridge the gap. Together, we can secure a brighter future for every Nigerian child.
Dr. Joseph Oteri
NAS Cap’n
National Association of Seadogs
Abuja, Nigeria
September 7, 2025
