Addressing the issue of out-of-school children in Nigeria, particularly in the North, requires a nuanced understanding of social, economic, and cultural factors that contribute to the problem. Nigeria’s northern region has historically faced significant challenges in providing universal access to education, leading to an alarming number of children out of school. However, a closer look reveals that this is not merely a matter of parental attitudes or cultural practices but is rooted in systemic issues that require thoughtful intervention.
Several factors contribute to this problem. First, a large population combined with limited resources has placed immense pressure on families. High birth rates are a factor in many regions, but in the North, where socioeconomic challenges are often more pronounced, the struggle to provide for larger families can be acute. The belief by both educated and uneducated Nigerians about number of children to produce in a marriage needs to be looked into. The Society for Family Panning needs to intensify orientation and educative advocacy campaigns looking deeper into religious and cultural norms that surrounds child bearing. I have a typical experience I can share.
In 1996 during my compulsory national youth service scheme, I was posted to a bank in Maiduguri town. There in the bank, I worked on a table where the head of the table was a young Northern married woman from Yobe State, a very pleasant middle level officer. It was a culture shock for me when she told me she already had 8 children and she was just 30 years at that time. She said her husband, a Kanuri man, loved to have children and that their religion, Islam frowned against family planning; when pregnancy comes they just have to accept it. For me that shows a huge knowledge gap even among the educated.
Educational resources are insufficient to meet the needs of the burgeoning youth population, and funding for schools is often inadequate. For many families, child labor, either through traditional street begging (the almajiri system) or informal jobs, becomes an economic necessity, forcing children out of the classroom.
Cultural influences play a role as well. The almajiri system, a form of Islamic education, historically provided young boys with religious instruction but has evolved in ways that often leave children without adequate education or support. Additionally, beliefs around family size and expectations of women’s roles in some communities can make family planning and education less prioritized, even among educated families. Here, the role of family planning education becomes essential, as lack of awareness or access to resources affects decisions about family size and children’s education.
Government policy and social services also play a critical role. There is a need for targeted efforts in family planning, improved access to maternal and child health services, and education reform that makes schooling more accessible, affordable, and adaptable to the realities of these communities. Unfortunately, in many cases, social safety nets, educational funding, and infrastructure in the North have lagged behind, leaving many families without the necessary support systems.
In the South, economic hardship and urban poverty are major drivers of school absenteeism. As more people migrate to urban areas in search of better opportunities, the rising cost of living can make it difficult for low-income families to prioritize education. This situation is exacerbated by the high rate of unemployment and underemployment, which can lead to other social issues, including drug use and involvement in informal sectors that deprioritise formal education.
Tackling the issue of out-of-school children in Nigeria demands a multi-faceted approach, combining community engagement, educational reform, social support, and policies promoting economic opportunity. Empowering communities with the resources and education needed to make informed decisions about family planning and schooling is crucial. Addressing the roots of poverty and improving access to quality education and social services will not only reduce the rate of out-of-school children but also contribute to a more equitable and prosperous Nigeria for all its citizens.
Odusote, Mnipr, arpa, is a Partner, Public Affairs at CMC Connect LLP, and a Doctorate degree student of Mass Communication at the Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria
