Northern Nigeria’s Out-of-school Children a ‘Frightening’ Issue

Vice President Kashim Shettima recently raised alarm over the alarming number of out-of-school children in northern Nigeria, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted actions to prioritize education, especially for the girl child. At the International Conference on Girl Child Education in Nigeria, data was presented highlighting factors such as early marriage, poverty, and illiteracy that hinder girls’ access to education.

Vice President Shettima stressed the necessity for focused efforts in addressing educational challenges, particularly in the northern regions with high out-of-school rates. He emphasized the importance of taking specific action plans to overcome barriers, with a call for development partners’ involvement for effective solutions.

The statistics revealed a concerning situation, with percentages of out-of-school children in primary and secondary levels exceeding acceptable limits. Vice President Shettima emphasized the critical role of education in shaping the future of the nation and securing the prosperity of the girl child.

Recognizing education as a key pillar of development, he underscored the government’s commitment to increasing education expenditure and implementing interventions to ensure every child, especially girls, has access to quality education.