ABUJA, Nigeria — A private organisation has warned that Nigeria’s growing number of out-of-school children poses a serious threat to the country’s future, saying urgent action is needed to prevent long-term damage to economic growth, national security and social development.
The organisation said millions of Nigerian children remain outside the formal education system, denying them the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to become productive members of society. It warned that if the trend continues, the country could face increased poverty, unemployment and insecurity in the years ahead.
According to the firm, education is one of the most powerful tools for national development, and every child denied access to schooling represents a lost opportunity for Nigeria. It stressed that the country cannot build a strong economy or achieve sustainable development while millions of children remain out of school.
The organisation noted that children who are not enrolled in school are more vulnerable to child labour, early marriage, trafficking, exploitation and recruitment into criminal activities. It added that the situation is particularly worrying in communities affected by insecurity, where many schools have either been closed or abandoned because of attacks.
The firm identified poverty, insecurity, inadequate educational facilities, shortages of qualified teachers, displacement caused by conflicts and poor infrastructure as some of the major factors responsible for the rising number of out-of-school children. It explained that many parents struggle to keep their children in school because of financial difficulties, while others fear for their children’s safety in areas experiencing violence.
It called on the Federal Government and state governments to increase investment in education by building more schools, improving existing facilities, recruiting additional teachers and providing learning materials. It also urged authorities to implement policies that would encourage school enrolment and reduce dropout rates, especially among children living in rural and underserved communities.
The organisation further appealed to parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups and private organisations to support efforts aimed at ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to quality education. It said stronger collaboration among all stakeholders would help address the education crisis more effectively.
The firm also stressed the importance of improving security around schools to restore confidence among parents and communities. It said protecting schools from attacks and ensuring a safe learning environment are critical steps toward reducing the number of children who remain outside the classroom.
According to the organisation, greater attention should also be given to programmes that provide financial assistance, school feeding initiatives and scholarships for children from low-income families. Such interventions, it said, would encourage more parents to send their children to school and reduce the financial burden associated with education.
The firm maintained that solving the out-of-school children crisis requires sustained commitment from government, the private sector and development partners. It warned that failure to act decisively could weaken Nigeria’s future workforce, reduce national productivity and create wider social and economic challenges.
It concluded that investing in education remains one of the most effective ways to secure Nigeria’s future, urging all stakeholders to prioritise policies and programmes that guarantee every child the opportunity to receive quality education and contribute positively to national development.
