Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Sonny Echono, says nearly 60 million Nigerians are illiterates, assuring that literacy centres will reduce the high percentage of illiteracy in the country.
Echono made this known last Thursday at the Federal Government College Otobi, during the inauguration of  a  pilot literacy centre for the North Central geo-political zone.
The permanent secretary expressed regret that  the illiteracy rate among the youths and adults is high, saying that the literacy level at the lower cadre of the college was also alarming.
According to him, literacy centres to be established in 104 Federal Government Colleges (FGCs) are aimed at reducing the high rate of illiteracy at the low or cadre of the staff of the institutions, stressing that the Federal Government designed the literacy programme to cater for them and others in the host communities.
He said literacy was both a social and human right issue and called on the learners at the pilot centre to remain committed and take their studies with all seriousness.
Also speaking at the occasion, an officer in the office of the Social Development Goals (SDGs), Mr Stephen Ojo, commended the ministry for the laudable initiative aimed at tackling illiteracy in the country.
He said that the SDGs office would partner the ministry to ensure the success of the programme.
Earlier in a welcome address, the principal of the school, Mr Gabriel Amudipe, commended the federal government for selecting FGC, Otobi as the centre for the pilot scheme in the North-Central Zone.
He said that the programme would benefit both staffers of the school and members of the host community.
Speaking to journalists in a post-event interview, the Coordinator of the programme, Mrs. Abisode Oloyiwole, said that she was impressed with the turn out of learners at the event.
“Arrangements were made for only 40 learners, but those that turned out were in excess of 80 people,” an excited Oloyiwole said.