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Education

Nigeria Grapples with Education Crisis: Governors Sound Alarm Over Out-of-School Children and Lack of Foundational Skills

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Nigeria is facing a critical education crisis, with a staggering 66% of primary school-age children out of school, according to nationwide data. Governors across the country, led by the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), have expressed concern over the lack of foundational skills, which are critical building blocks for achieving educational objectives. The crisis is exacerbated by the issue of out-of-school children, with the Minister of Education stating that the number of out-of-school children is "mind-boggling and disturbing".

Key Takeaways:

  • The Nigerian Governors Forum has expressed worry over the country's education crisis, with a 66% out-of-school rate among primary school-age children, nationwide.
  • Governor AbdulRazaq of Kwara State highlighted the importance of foundational skills, stating that enrollment in school does not necessarily translate into actual learning.
  • The workforce in the education sector is insufficient and undervalued, with basic education and national governance underfunded.
  • Challenges facing the education sector include a lack of characterisation of the issues of conditional training, absence of learning materials, and insufficient monitoring and evaluation of training disruptions and outcomes.
  • The Nigerian Governors Forum expects this workshop to strengthen motivation for policymakers to drive and sustain evidence-based reforms to improve foundational learning and reduce the out-of-school children challenges.

Statistics:

  • 66% of primary school-age children in Nigeria are out of school, according to nationwide data.
  • The number of out-of-school children is considered "mind-boggling and disturbing" by the Minister of Education.
  • Basic education and national governance in Nigeria are underfunded.
  • The education sector's workforce is insufficient and undervalued.

Sources:

  • "State-Level Workshop on Foundational Learning and Out-of-School Children"
  • Remarks by Kwara State Governor AbdulRasaq, as read by NGF Education Advisor, Leo The Great (January 2025)
  • 2025 budget defence session hosted by the Joint Committee on Tertiary Institutions, TETFund, and Education at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
  • Minister of Education Olatunji Alausa's disclosure during the 2025 budget defence session.

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