UNICEF has identified Jigawa, Kano and Katsina states as having the highest number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, warning that urgent investment in early childhood education is key to reversing the trend.
The organisation revealed that Nigeria currently has about 18.3 million out-of-school children—the highest figure globally—with the three northern states accounting for nearly 30 per cent of the total.
An education consultant with UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, Aisha Abdullahi, disclosed this during a two-day media dialogue involving journalists from the affected states.
Presenting a paper on foundational learning, Abdullahi attributed the crisis to a mix of poverty, insecurity, cultural barriers and poor school readiness, stressing that Early Childhood Care, Development and Education (ECCDE) offers a sustainable solution.
“Early childhood education is not just a preparatory stage but a strategic intervention to reduce the number of out-of-school children,” she said.
According to her, ECCDE focuses on children from birth to age five, equipping them with essential cognitive, emotional and social skills needed for formal education. She noted that children exposed to early learning are more likely to enrol, stay in school and complete their education, while those without such exposure are twice as likely to drop out.
Abdullahi added that nearly 90 per cent of brain development occurs before the age of five, making early education a critical intervention window.
Despite the inclusion of pre-primary education in Nigeria’s Universal Basic Education framework, access to ECCDE remains limited, particularly in rural communities. She noted that areas with functional early learning centres record up to 40 per cent higher enrolment into Primary One, along with improved retention rates.
The UNICEF expert also highlighted the role of early childhood education in promoting girls’ education, noting that it can help delay early marriage and boost parental involvement.
Stakeholders at the dialogue, however, raised concerns over low male participation in early learning, revealing that fewer than 15 per cent of fathers are actively involved. They noted that increased father engagement could reduce dropout rates by as much as 50 per cent.
Participants called for urgent policy action, including expanding ECCDE centres in primary schools, allocating at least five per cent of education budgets to early learning, training more teachers, and integrating traditional and religious education systems.
They emphasised that sustained investment in early childhood education remains one of the most effective strategies for tackling Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis.