State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) across Nigeria, including Kano, Lagos, Kaduna, Adamawa, Zamfara, Akwa Ibom, and Jigawa, among others, have commended the Jolly Phonics Project for its remarkable contribution to early grade literacy, describing it as one of the most successful education interventions in the country’s history.
Their commendation follows the release of the 2025 Phonics Screening Exercise results by Universal Learning Solutions Initiative under the UBEC 2023/2024 TPD programme. The assessment, which covered 72,127 pupils across 33 states, represents the largest early-grade literacy assessment ever conducted in Nigeria.
Findings reveal that pupils taught using the Jolly Phonics methodology consistently outperform their peers in reading and writing, with steady progress recorded in every assessment cycle since 2019. The 2025 screening marks the third major nationwide phonics assessment, following earlier exercises in 2019 and 2021, and the data shows a clear upward trajectory in literacy achievement.
In Primary 1, the proportion of pupils meeting the English words reading benchmark rose from one in five in 2019 to one in three in 2025, a 60% increase.
These results are truly inspiring. In a context where many education projects have failed to show measurable impact, Jolly Phonics has delivered consistent, evidence-based results. With greater investment and support, its reach and impact could be even stronger – Patrick Uzu, Country Director of Universal Learning Solutions (ULS)
Major international studies, including the UK’s Rose Review (2006) and the US National Reading Panel, have long affirmed that systematic synthetic phonics provides the most reliable foundation for early reading.
Across Nigeria, SUBEBs have echoed similar praise, citing the programme’s proven ability to strengthen early literacy outcomes. Alhaji Yusuf Kabir, Executive Chairman of Kano State SUBEB, noted the programme’s transformational effect:
Among the various early grade literacy interventions in Kano State, Jolly Phonics stands out for its significant impact and achievements. We’ve witnessed remarkable improvements in pupils’ reading and writing skills, increased teacher motivation, and classrooms filled with enthusiasm and confidence. Jolly Phonics has laid a strong foundation for literacy in Kano State.
What began as a small pilot in a single school in Akwa Ibom State in 2006 has evolved into a nationwide success story, implemented today across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
It’s incredible to think that Jolly Phonics started in a single school in Akwa Ibom State 19 years ago and is now active across every state in Nigeria. We are proud of the strong teams, from teachers to state coordinators, SUBEBs, and UBEC, delivering evidence-based literacy interventions that are changing children’s lives. Nigeria is now leading the way in showing how a consistent phonics-based approach can transform reading outcomes – Gary Foxcroft, CEO of Universal Learning Solutions
The success of Jolly Phonics in Nigeria has been driven by strong collaboration among UBEC, SUBEBs, Universal Learning Solutions, and the Federal Ministry of Education. Through this partnership, 241,227 primary school teachers from 120,738 schools, along with 7,182 education officials, have been trained. An estimated 30 million pupils have benefited from the programme, supported by data-driven monitoring to ensure accountability and sustainability.
UBEC has been a key partner in ensuring this isn’t just another short-term project but a national literacy strategy. SUBEBs across the country have shown real ownership, ensuring teachers are supported and data is collected to sustain impact. Nigeria should be proud of what it has achieved through this collaboration – Uzu
Jolly Phonics is rooted in synthetic phonics, an internationally recognised, evidence-based approach that teaches reading by linking sounds to letters and blending them into words. Independent evaluations globally have found that children taught with Jolly Phonics not only learn to read faster but also perform better across other subjects, since literacy underpins learning in every area.
The approach has been particularly effective in strengthening foundational skills in large, diverse classrooms, a common challenge across Nigerian schools.
With the 2025 results confirming sustained progress, education experts are urging policymakers to deepen investment and broaden training.
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