The Persistent Crisis of Out-of-School Children in Nigeria
Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis has remained a deeply entrenched issue, with far-reaching consequences for the nation’s socioeconomic development. This problem is not just an educational challenge but also a significant threat to national security, economic growth, and social stability. The phenomenon is intertwined with persistent insecurity, high unemployment rates, widespread poverty, and the rise of child soldiering and drug abuse. These factors collectively contribute to a bleak future for the country.
Every child who misses out on education represents a lost opportunity for the nation. It also poses a risk to those who are sent abroad for schooling, as it reflects a failure in the domestic education system. A country that neglects its youth risks setting itself up for long-term decline, as education is the cornerstone of progress and development.
According to UNESCO and UNICEF, Nigeria, along with countries like India, Pakistan, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, has the highest number of out-of-school children globally. Tragically, Nigeria tops this list, indicating a severe and worsening situation.
Over the past two decades, the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria has continued to rise. In 1999, the figure was approximately 7 million. By 2013, it had increased to 10.5 million, accounting for 47% of the global out-of-school population. As of early 2024, the number has surged to 18.3 million, with 10.2 million at the primary level and 8.1 million at the junior secondary level. This staggering number is concentrated largely in the North-West and North-East regions, where poverty and insecurity are most acute.
The state of schools across Nigeria is dire. Many institutions suffer from dilapidation, lack of infrastructure, and insufficient teaching staff. In some states, teachers have not been hired for over a decade, leading to massive teacher shortages. The decline of technical schools further exacerbates the problem, as these institutions are critical for equipping students with practical skills.
Even in the South, where education is generally more prioritized, governors have halted the construction of new primary and secondary schools. This omission has left the responsibility to private entities, which may not be equipped to meet the growing demand.
Kano State serves as a stark example of the poor condition of primary schools. In June 2024, the governor revealed that over 4.7 million pupils were learning on bare floors. Despite such alarming conditions, little action has been taken to address the issue.
The teacher-pupil ratio in Nigeria is alarmingly high, standing at 35:1 nationwide, well above UNESCO’s recommended 25:1. This imbalance is compounded by the refusal of some states to use federal funds allocated for teacher professional development. Over the years, states have abandoned billions in federal grants, undermining efforts to improve the quality of education.
Despite these challenges, the Federal Government has made recent efforts to address the crisis. Minister of Education Tunji Alausa recently announced that Nigeria needs $345 million annually to reintegrate and provide essential skills to about 15 million out-of-school children. However, these proposals face obstacles, including discrepancies in statistics, strategy, and budgetary allocations.
The education budget under President Bola Tinubu remains low, hovering around 5-8%, far below UNESCO’s recommended 15-20%. This underfunding reflects a broader pattern of neglect that has persisted across administrations.
In the North, where the almajiri system is prevalent, the crisis is particularly severe. Governors and political leaders must take decisive action to address this issue, learning from successful models in other countries like Colombia and Brazil. A coordinated national strategy, involving all levels of government, is essential to tackle the root causes of the problem.
Rehabilitating out-of-school children will require significant time, resources, and political will. It is also crucial to ensure that skilled workers are adequately compensated to retain them in the workforce. Nigeria needs more polytechnics and technical colleges to complement its universities, which focus on producing managers and thinkers.
A national summit involving all tiers of government could help develop a comprehensive, well-funded policy to address the out-of-school crisis. Such an initiative would require strong leadership and a commitment to long-term solutions.
