Nigeria constitutes 20% of the global population of out-of-school children and accounts for 45% of such children in West Africa, according to Prof Tahir Mamma, the Minister of Education. The minister expressed concern over this ranking, deeming it unacceptable for a country considered Africa’s largest economy.
The statement was made during the official launch of the National Campaign on Out-Of-School Children and the distribution of school materials to selected out-of-school children in Kwara State.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State noted that his administration’s investments in the education system have positively impacted public school enrolment, emphasizing the need for swift action by key stakeholders to address the alarming trend of out-of-school children.