Lagos: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has highlighted a complex evolution in Nigeria’s education crisis, attributing it to poverty, rapid population growth, poor learning outcomes, and the growing questioning of educational value.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, UNICEF Education Specialist Harold Kpojime shared these insights during a two-day media dialogue focused on digital learning, artificial intelligence, and skills development for out-of-school children in Ede, Osun State.
The event, organized by UNICEF in collaboration with the Osun State Ministry of Education, the Federal Ministry of Education, and the Universal Basic Education Commission, among others, drew journalists from various states including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, and Edo. Kpojime emphasized that the education crisis extends beyond the issue of school access, especially in an economy with limited job opportunities. He referenced findings from the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, which revealed that Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children globally, with approximately one in three primary school-age children not attending school.
Kpojime pointed out a second crisis within classrooms, where poor learning outcomes persist. He noted that although 68.4 percent of primary school-age children attend school nationally, attendance drops significantly at the secondary level. The South-West region performs better than the national average, yet many students still fail to progress to higher education levels.
Kpojime identified rapid population growth as a factor exacerbating the strain on educational and economic resources. He also observed that many young people question the value of formal education due to unemployment and underemployment, leading some to consider alternatives like trades or entrepreneurship.
Despite these challenges, Kpojime reiterated that education remains critical for improved life outcomes and national development. He emphasized the need for investment in teacher quality and foundational learning. He also highlighted the Nigerian Learning Passport, a digital platform offering free, curriculum-aligned resources, developed in collaboration with UNICEF, the Federal Ministry of Education, and Microsoft.
The dialogue received support from the World Bank, the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, and other educational authorities across various government levels.