Stakeholders Demand Action on Nigeria's 7.4 Million Out-of-School Children

Stakeholders in the education sector have called on the Federal Government and governors in Northern Nigeria to urgently address the issue of over 7.4 million out-of-school children in the North-West and North-East regions. Despite various government interventions and budgetary allocations aimed at increasing school enrolment, millions of children remain outside the classroom.

According to UNICEF's March 2026 assessment, Nigeria has over 10.2 million out-of-school children, with the North-West accounting for approximately 45 percent and the North-East for 28 percent. The education crisis affects both genders, with 6.48 million girls and 6.42 million boys of school age out of school nationwide.

Emerald O Akhaumere, Founder and Executive Director of AfroTechXcel, identified corruption and lack of accountability in education spending as significant barriers to resolving this crisis. She stressed the importance of ensuring that allocated resources effectively reach schools and children, rather than merely announcing budgets and targets.