The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised alarm over the dire state of education in Nigeria, revealing that only one out of four children aged 14 can read proficiently and perform basic mathematics. This troubling statistic underscores a broader crisis affecting millions of young Nigerians.
Speaking at a media dialogue on digital learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and skill development for out-of-school children in Ede, Osun State, Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office, highlighted that over 10 million children are not attending school. She emphasized that these figures represent real children, not just data points, who are growing up without the necessary skills to secure employment, support their families, or participate in the evolving economy.
Lafoucriere stressed the urgent need to integrate digital learning resources and AI education into the curriculum to give these children a fighting chance in the future. She noted that children with AI skills will have opportunities, while those without will be left behind. Among out-of-school children, girls are disproportionately affected, trailing further behind in educational attainment.
She called on the media to amplify the message, urging consistent reporting on the importance of digital learning to reach policymakers and education stakeholders. According to her, sustained media coverage is essential to address the out-of-school children crisis.
Dr. Harold Kpojime, UNICEF Education specialist, painted an even grimmer picture, stating that Nigeria has 20 million out-of-school children at both primary and secondary levels. Specifically, 10.2 million are in primary school and 8.1 million in junior secondary. Additionally, 12.4 million children have never attended school, while 5.9 million dropped out early. Nigeria accounts for 15% of the global out-of-school population.
Dr. Kpojime further revealed that only one in three children aged 36-59 months has access to early childhood care and development education (ECCDE), and the same ratio applies to those eligible for senior secondary school. Over half of girls are not in school at the basic education level. He attributed this crisis to poverty, population growth, poor learning outcomes, and doubts about education’s value, compounded by limited job opportunities.
In his welcome address, Osun State Commissioner for Education Sunday Eluwole, represented by permanent secretary Murtala Adekunle Jimoh, stressed that education is vital for human development, social transformation, and economic growth. He lamented that millions of children globally, including many in Nigeria, are excluded from formal education due to socio-economic, cultural, geographical, and security challenges, depriving them of opportunities to reach their full potential.
Eluwole advocated for leveraging digital technology and AI to bridge educational gaps and extend learning to marginalized children. He noted that digital platforms make education more accessible, flexible, inclusive, and engaging. When responsibly deployed, AI can personalize learning, identify gaps, support teachers, improve planning, and provide innovative solutions to reach out-of-school children. He concluded by urging that no child should be left behind in the digital revolution.