The highest literacy rates in Nigeria were registered in the southern regions of the country. In the South West, 89 percent of males and 80.6 percent of females were literate as of 2018. Also, the south zones showed the lowest percentage differences between male and female literacy. Female literacy rate in Nigeria is among the highest in West Africa. The highest female literacy rates were registered in Cabo Verde and Ghana, while Nigeria ranked third.

The rate of adult literacy as share of the country's population 15 years and above in Nigeria increased by 1.1 percentage points (+1.77 percent) in 2021 in comparison to the previous year. While the growth is slowing down, with 63.16 percent, the rate of adult literacy is at its peak in the observed period. The adult literacy rate refers to the share of individuals aged 15 years and older who can read and write as well as understand simple expressions about their daily lives.

Nigeria: Literacy rate: The latest value from 2021 is 63.16 percent, an increase from 62.02 percent in 2018. In comparison, the world average is 86.53 percent, based on data from 48 countries. Historically, the average for Nigeria from 1991 to 2021 is 59.21 percent. The minimum value, 51.08 percent, was reached in 2008 while the maximum of 70 percent was recorded in 2006.

Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) in Nigeria was reported at 63.16 % in 2021, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Nigeria - Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Female literacy rate in Nigeria is among the highest in West Africa. However, the difference between male and female literacy rates are substantial in both urban and rural areas. As of 2018, the rate among men living in rural areas of Nigeria reached roughly 60 percent, whereas female literacy rates in the same areas was 35 percent. The gap in urban Nigeria amounted to about ten percentage points.

In West Africa, the highest female literacy rates were registered in Cabo Verde and Ghana, while Nigeria ranked third.

Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Youth Female: % of Females Aged 15-24 data was reported at 57.954 % in 2008. This records a decrease from the previous number of 60.509 % for 2003. Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Youth Female: % of Females Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 60.509 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2008, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 62.488 % in 1991 and a record low of 57.954 % in 2008. Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Youth Female: % of Females Aged 15-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.World Bank.WDI: Education Statistics. Youth literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15-24 who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

Nigeria: Youth literacy rate, ages 15-24: The latest value from 2021 is 73.67 percent, an increase from 65.78 percent in 2018. In comparison, the world average is 93.45 percent, based on data from 58 countries. Historically, the average for Nigeria from 1991 to 2021 is 72.12 percent. The minimum value, 65.78 percent, was reached in 2018 while the maximum of 79.16 percent was recorded in 2013.

Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Adult Male: % of Males Aged 15 and Above data was reported at 61.254 % in 2008. This records a decrease from the previous number of 66.767 % for 2003. Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Adult Male: % of Males Aged 15 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 66.767 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2008, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 67.654 % in 1991 and a record low of 61.254 % in 2008. Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Adult Male: % of Males Aged 15 and Above data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.World Bank.WDI: Education Statistics. Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

Literacy rate, adult male (% of males ages 15 and above) in Nigeria was reported at 73.73 % in 2021, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Nigeria - Literacy rate, adult male (% of males ages 15 and above) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on May of 2025.

Literacy rate, youth female (% of females ages 15-24) in Nigeria was reported at 69.05 % in 2021, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Nigeria - Literacy rate, youth female (% of females ages 15-24) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Adult: % of People Aged 15 and Above data was reported at 51.078 % in 2008. This records a decrease from the previous number of 54.773 % for 2003. Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Adult: % of People Aged 15 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 54.773 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2008, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 55.447 % in 1991 and a record low of 51.078 % in 2008. Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Adult: % of People Aged 15 and Above data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.World Bank.WDI: Education Statistics. Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Youth: % of People Age 15-24 data was reported at 66.384 % in 2008. This records a decrease from the previous number of 68.994 % for 2003. Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Youth: % of People Age 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 68.994 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2008, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 71.189 % in 1991 and a record low of 66.384 % in 2008. Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Youth: % of People Age 15-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.World Bank.WDI: Education Statistics. Youth literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15-24 who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

Literacy rate, youth male (% of males ages 15-24) in Nigeria was reported at 77.78 % in 2021, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Nigeria - Literacy rate, youth male (% of males ages 15-24) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

As of 2019, women in Nigeria represented 49 percent of the total enrollments in adult and basic literacy education in the country. According to the source, Kebbi State had the lowest share of female enrollment.

Literacy rate, youth (ages 15-24), gender parity index (GPI) in Nigeria was reported at 0.8878 % in 2021, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Nigeria - Ratio of young literate females to males (% ages 15-24) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Nigeria NG: Gender Parity Index (GPI): Literacy Rate: Youth Aged 15-24 data was reported at 0.767 Ratio in 2008. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.774 Ratio for 2003. Nigeria NG: Gender Parity Index (GPI): Literacy Rate: Youth Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 0.768 Ratio from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2008, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.774 Ratio in 2003 and a record low of 0.767 Ratio in 2008. Nigeria NG: Gender Parity Index (GPI): Literacy Rate: Youth Aged 15-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.World Bank.WDI: Education Statistics. Gender parity index for youth literacy rate is the ratio of females to males ages 15-24 who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

Nigéria: Literacy rate: Pour cet indicateur, UNESCO fournit des données pour la Nigéria de 1991 à 2021. La valeur moyenne pour Nigéria pendant cette période était de 59.21 pour cent avec un minimum de 51.08 pour cent en 2008 et un maximum de 70 pour cent en 2006.

Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes (%) in Nigeria was reported at 28.29 % in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Nigeria - Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, female (%) in Nigeria was reported at 17.63 % in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Nigeria - Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on May of 2025.

Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Youth Male: % of Males Aged 15-24 data was reported at 75.566 % in 2008. This records a decrease from the previous number of 78.128 % for 2003. Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Youth Male: % of Males Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 78.128 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2008, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 81.356 % in 1991 and a record low of 75.566 % in 2008. Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Youth Male: % of Males Aged 15-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.World Bank.WDI: Education Statistics. Youth literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15-24 who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).