The rate of adult literacy as share of the country's population 15 years and above in Nigeria was 63.16 percent in 2021. Between 1991 and 2021, the rate of adult literacy rose by 8.16 percentage points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

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.

Adult literacy rate of Nigeria improved by 1.84% from 62.0 % in 2018 to 63.2 % in 2021. Since the 27.03% slump in 2008, adult literacy rate shot up by 23.65% in 2021. Adult (15+) literacy rate (%). Total is the percentage of the population age 15 and above who can, with understanding, read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life. Generally, ‘literacy’ also encompasses ‘numeracy’, the ability to make simple arithmetic calculations. This indicator is calculated by dividing the number of literates aged 15 years and over by the corresponding age group population and multiplying the result by 100.

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 September of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Literacy Rate, Adult Total for Nigeria (SEADTLITRZSNGA) from 1991 to 2021 about literacy, Nigeria, adult, and rate.

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).

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 September of 2025.

View yearly updates and historical trends for Nigeria Adult Literacy Rate. Source: World Bank. Track economic data with YCharts analytics.

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, 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 September of 2025.

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 September of 2025.

Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data was reported at 41.387 % in 2008. This records a decrease from the previous number of 43.322 % for 2003. Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 43.322 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2008, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 43.729 % in 1991 and a record low of 41.387 % in 2008. Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females 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, youth male (% of males ages 15-24) in Nigeria was reported at 81.31 % in 2024, 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 October 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).

As of 2019, women in Nigeria represented ** 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.

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).

As of 2019, around ** percent of young women and ** percent of young men in Nigeria were literate in English. This means they could understand, read, and write a short, simple statement, for instance, on their everyday life in English.

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 October 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).