The Federal Government has earmarked the sum of N50 billion in the 2025 budget to address the problem of out-of-school children in the country, which is estimated at 18.3 million.
An analysis of the 2025 budget by The Guardian showed that the programme is domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Education. Captured as an Economic Recovery Growth Plan, the new project titled ‘ERGP24225846 support for out-of-school children project’ will gulp N50 billion.
According to the latest figures from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), 18.3 million Nigerian children are out-of-school.
A breakdown of the number indicates that while 10.2 million children are out of primary school, 8.1 million children are out of Junior Secondary School (JSS).
Last month, the Federal Government sounded the alarm over the staggering number of out-of-school students in the country, acknowledging that it would have severe consequences for the country’s future if left unchecked.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who spoke at the Education Sector Stakeholders’ Consultative Dialogue, emphasised the need for innovation, accountability, and strategic partnerships to revitalise the education sector and unlock the potential of the country’s youth. He tasked stakeholders – government bodies, development partners, the private sector, and civil society – to embrace a collaborative spirit to combat the crisis.
“Education is not just an investment in our children; it is the foundation of our nation’s future. With dedication, innovation, and strategic action, we will transform Nigeria’s education landscape,” he said.
He added that to address these challenges, the Ministry has outlined three strategic priorities: equitable access, skill development, and governance as well as data management.
In a chat with The Guardian, the Initiator, Creative Change Centre, Omole Ibukun, applauded the government’s proposal. Ibukun, however, noted that its impact would be limited, saying that with the country’s 18.3 million out-of-school children, the amount translates to a meager N2,732 per child.
He called for a more comprehensive approach, including provision of free education. He said: “The allocation of N50 billion for out-of-school children in the 2025 budget is a step in the right direction if the funds are not corruptly laundered by public officials.
“But it is small when placed side by side with the 18.3 million out of school children in Nigeria. This can only mean N2,732 per out of school child. That’s very small. What can that do to bring a child back to school? How many books can that be bought? How many school meals can that provide?
“Despite the fact that it is small, it is also crucial to align how these funds will be spent with the issues that lead to children being out-of-school in the first place. The main cause of the out-of-school children is poverty and until we can establish a truly free education with provision of free academic resources for students, this allocation will just gloss over the surface of the issue, at best.”
