Nigeria tops global list with 18.3 million out-of-school children – UNICEF

UNICEF says Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina have the highest number of children who are not in school in Nigeria.

The organisation also said Nigeria has about 18.3 million out-of-school children, the highest number in the world.

An education expert from UNICEF Kano office, Aisha Abdullahi, shared this during a two-day meeting for journalists from Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina.

She said that nearly 30% of these children come from the three states due to poverty, insecurity, cultural beliefs, and poor early education.

Abdullahi explained that early childhood education is very important because it helps children build basic skills before primary school. She said it can help reduce the number of children who drop out of school.

She added that children who attend early learning programs are more likely to stay in school and finish their education. She also said that most brain development happens before age five, so early learning is very important.

Although Nigeria has a policy that includes one year of pre-primary education, access is still low, especially in rural areas.

She also noted that areas with good early childhood centres have higher school enrolment and better retention rates.

UNICEF also raised concern that few fathers take part in early childhood education, with less than 15% involvement. They said more father involvement could reduce dropout rates.

Stakeholders at the meeting called for stronger government action, including more funding for early education, better teacher training, and expansion of early learning centres.

They said improving early childhood education is key to solving Nigeria’s problem of children being out of school.