Assessing the Effectiveness of Reading Comprehension as a Tool for Functional Literacy in Nigeria Schools

Abstract

Purpose: The study was carried out based on need to revitalize literacy in Nigeria Schools is both pressing and urgent. This is because a nation’s education, economic, political, social, and religious development is dependent upon the level of literacy of its citizenry. Reading comprehension has been considered a basic tool for achieving functional literacy. This paper discusses the state of affairs of literacy in Nigeria Schools. It also enumerates the strategy for fostering functional literacy through effective reading comprehension. Methodology: The study explored the literature to assess the effectiveness of reading comprehension as a tool for functional literacy Findings: The study revealed that the reading culture of Nigerians is very poor and that most Nigerians only read to pass examinations or interviews. Contribution: It is emphasized that Reading comprehension should be taught as a separate and compulsory course beginning from the primary to the tertiary institution.