Concerns mount as Nigeria holds highest number of out-of-school children

Stakeholders in the education sector have raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s education crisis, with the country continuing to hold the world’s largest population of out-of-school children, despite the pivotal role of education.

Lawmakers, policymakers, and development partners highlighted the scale of the challenge at the 2026 International Day for Education Conference themed, “Re-imagining the Future of Education in Nigeria: Collaborative Solutions for a Brighter Tomorrow.”

Stakeholders worried that Nigeria still has over 20 million out-of-school children, a situation putting the future of the country at risk.

Speaking at the summit, Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President and former Speaker of the House of Representatives,stressed that education is not merely a sector of the economy but a matter of national survival for Africa’s most populous nation.

He emphasised that Nigeria’s future depends on the classrooms it strengthens today.

“Education is the bridge between potential and productivity; between aspiration and achievement,” he said, stressing that no country can compete globally without sustained investment in learning.

He urged participants to move beyond dialogue and generate actionable recommendations to address the crisis in the sector, strengthen oversight, and ensure that existing laws reflect present realities.

“Nigeria’s brightest tomorrow will be built in the classrooms we strengthen today”, he stressed.

Also speaking, Abisoye Da Rocha-Afodu, Special Adviser to the Speaker on International Cooperation and Educational Development, expressed concern that in addition to the over 20 million out-of-school children, the highest number globally, the education sector faces other significant challenges.

She cited poor infrastructure, weak teacher welfare, outdated curricula, and limited access to technology as some of the challenges.

According to her, there is an urgent need to strengthen partnerships between government institutions, the private sector, and communities to expand access to quality and inclusive education.

On measures to ensure proper utilisation of funds, she disclosed that the House is working on legislative initiatives to promote periodic accountability for resources allocated to education programmes.

Also speaking, Fuad Laguda, Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Polytechnic and Higher Technical Education, said the conference offered an opportunity to assess Nigeria’s education system against international benchmarks.

He noted that funding remains one of the most pressing challenges confronting the sector. He stressed that any nation seeking sustainable development must invest heavily in education.

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