Nigeria’s Out-of-school Children Hit 18.3m

The number of out-of-school children in Nigeria has increased in 2024. UNICEF reported that the number has risen to 18.3 million. In contrast, data from 2021 showed 174,116 out-of-school primary-aged children.

This figure positions Nigeria as the country with the highest number of out-of-school children globally.
Key Statistics

Total Out-of-School Children: 18.3 million

Primary School Attendance: Only 63% of primary school-age children regularly attend school.

Transition to Junior Secondary: Approximately 84% of children transition to junior secondary education after completing primary school.