The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed deep concern over the increasing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, which has now reached 18.3 million.
This alarming statistic places Nigeria as the country with the highest number of out-of-school children globally.
Speaking at a two-day Regional Stakeholders Engagement Meeting in Gombe, focused on Out-of-School Children and Retention, Transition, and Completion Models in Bauchi, Gombe, and Adamawa states, Dr. Tushar Rane, Chief of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, highlighted the gravity of the situation.
“Unfortunately, this positions Nigeria with the challenge of having the largest number of out-of-school children globally,” Dr. Rane stated.
He further noted that only 63% of primary school-age children regularly attend school, indicating a significant gap in education access.
Another major concern raised was the increasing dropout rate, affecting both boys and girls. According to Dr. Rane, only 84% of primary school pupils successfully transition to junior secondary school, leaving a substantial number at risk of being out of the education system.
The growing number of out-of-school children has been linked to several challenges, including inadequate evidence-based policies, limited budget allocations for education, shortage of teachers and classrooms, poor school infrastructure, cultural and societal norms, health and safety concerns, and child labor.
In response to this crisis, UNICEF is partnering with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to introduce strategic initiatives aimed at reversing the trend. Among these is the National Framework of Action to Reduce the Number of Out-of-School Children in Nigeria, alongside the Retention, Transition, and Completion Model designed to improve educational continuity for adolescents.
During the engagement meeting, UNICEF reaffirmed its commitment to developing practical models that will reduce the number of out-of-school children and improve retention, transition, and completion rates in secondary schools.
“I envisage that after this meeting, we will have clear, targeted, and state-specific strategies that will further ensure that we reduce the rate of out-of-school children and enhance retention, transition, and completion,” Dr. Rane added.
As UNICEF and stakeholders work toward solutions, the success of these initiatives will be crucial in securing a better future for millions of Nigerian children currently deprived of formal education.