Millions of Children Out of School in Northern Nigeria

The article highlights the severe educational crisis in Northern Nigeria, where millions of children are out of school due to insecurity. Since the infamous abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok on April 14, 2014, by Boko Haram, the situation has worsened, with multiple mass abductions reported.

Notable incidents include the kidnapping of 112 girls in Dapchi in February 2018 and 300 students in Kankara in December 2020. According to Amnesty International, at least 15 mass abductions have occurred since 2014, with Save the Children reporting 1,683 learners abducted between 2014 and 2022.

UNICEF's research indicates that approximately 1,436 schoolchildren and 17 teachers were abducted, and over 11,500 schools were temporarily closed due to insecurity. Parents are increasingly reluctant to send their children to school, fearing for their safety, which disproportionately affects girls, increasing risks of early marriage and child labor.

UNICEF estimates that 10.5 million primary-age children are out of school nationwide, with 60% of them being girls, primarily from Northern states.