Nigeria’s Education In Crisis, UNICEF Laments

On Monday 24th January 2022, The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), , lamented that the education crisis in Nigeria is affecting children across the country, saying Nigerian child’s rights to education is far from being realised.

UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, in a message to celebrate the International Day of Education, decried report that a full one-third of Nigerian children are not in school, and one in five out-of-school children in the world is Nigerian.

Hawkins noted that at least 10.5 million children are out of school in Nigeria and it is the highest rate in the world. He added all Nigerian children deserve a fighting chance, no matter who they are or where they are from and this must include their education “As it is not only their right – but also the smartest and best way to secure the future of Nigeria as a whole.”

He recalled that in 2021, there were 25 attacks on schools. 1,440 children were abducted, and 16 children were killed. He further disclosed that in March 2021 alone, no fewer than 618 schools were closed in six northern states namely; Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Niger, and Yobe over the fear of attack and abduction of pupils and members of staff, stressing that the closure of schools in these states significantly contributed to learning losses for over two months.

He lamented: “A full one-third of Nigerian children are not in school, and one in five out-of-school children in the world is Nigerian. While the education crisis in Nigeria is affecting children across the country, some children are more likely to be affected than others such as: a girl child, children with disabilities, children from the poorest households, children living in the streets or affected by displacement or emergencies, and children in geographically distant areas are all disproportionately affected by this education crisis.”

Hawkins expressed sadness over the fact that “Millions of Nigerian children have never set foot in a classroom, and how places of learning are not made conducive enough, for instance, school children who standing in a pool of water during an assembly – which is a travesty,” adding that: “Perhaps equally tragic that an estimate of 35 per cent of Nigerian children make it into a classroom, but never make the transition from primary school to secondary school – thereby cutting off their chances for a secure future.”

He said: “As we celebrate the International Day of Education amid much concerns in world about the impact of COVID-19 on education, we must take a close look at what is happening to our children in Nigeria, and the opportunities they are missing out on when they lack education.

“We also need to look towards communities – leaders, parents, teachers and caregivers – and together, we can find the best strategies to ensure that all children enrolled into school, have access to continuous learning and ensure they emerge with quality skills that equip them for a prosperous future.

“We need to especially ensure that girls have access to learning – so they can receive an education that will begin to address issues of gender inequality. All girls have much to offer to find solutions to Nigeria’s challenges – and we have to nurture their creativity and innovation.

“We also need to ensure that children are safe when they are in school – no child should be afraid to enter a classroom – afraid their school might be attacked or that they will be kidnapped. And no parent should fear sending their children to school.”

He however, said that Nigeria’s education system can be transformed through adequate funding to ensure schools are safe; the application of gender-responsive policies are implemented and this  includes recruitment of female teachers and improved facilities for girls; the creation of multiple and flexible learning pathways for students, such as digital and transferable skills learning; the integration of foundational numeracy and literacy in Qur’anic schools; and teacher training in the latest methodologies.

He reminded President Muhammadu Buhari of his commitment to increase Nigeria’s annual domestic education expenditure by 50 per cent over the next two years, and by 100 per cent by 2025. Hawkins said in Nigeria’s N17 trillion 2022 budget signed into law at the end of 2021, atleast 7.2 per cent of the budget should be allocated to the education sector and by doing so, “This would be a step forward towards achieving something better for the education sector. In Hawkins words: ” Though it will still be a long way to go to reach the internationally recommended benchmark where countries spend 15-20 per cent of their national budgets on education.”

He, however, welcomed the government’s recent pledge to increase Nigeria’s annual domestic education expenditure.