Overview
The educational landscape in Nigeria is grappling with a significant challenge as a considerable number of children are currently not enrolled in schools. This issue is particularly severe in specific states, predominantly in the northern regions of the country.
The National Mass Education Programme Initiative (NMPI) of 2022 has meticulously compiled a detailed list showcasing the percentage of children who are out of school across various states in Nigeria.
Below is an in-depth analysis of these statistics.
State-wise Examination
States with Highest Out-of-School Rates
The data highlights a troubling pattern where states like Kebbi, Sokoto, and Yobe exhibit the highest percentages of out-of-school children, exceeding 60%. This underscores the critical necessity for immediate interventions to facilitate access to education for children residing in these areas.
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States with Moderate Out-of-School Rates
States such as Jigawa, Gombe, and Katsina also present worrisome statistics:
- Jigawa: 51.1%
- Gombe: 48%
- Katsina: 45.9%
States with Lowest Out-of-School Rates
Conversely, states like Lagos, Abia, and Anambra report the lowest percentages:
- Lagos: 6.4%
- Abia: 5.6%
- Anambra: 2.9%
These figures suggest a more robust educational outreach and potentially more effective policies implemented to address the issue of out-of-school children.
Comprehensive State Breakdown (Table)
| Rank | State | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kebbi | 67.6 |
| 2 | Sokoto | 66.4 |
| 3 | Yobe | 62.9 |
| 4 | Zamfara | 61.3 |
| 5 | Bauchi | 55.7 |
| 6 | Borno | 54.2 |
| 7 | Jigawa | 51.1 |
| 8 | Gombe | 48.0 |
| 9 | Katsina | 45.9 |
| 10 | Niger | 42.8 |
| 11 | Kano | 39.2 |
| 12 | Taraba | 28.8 |
| 13 | Nasarawa | 25.4 |
| 14 | Plateau | 23.2 |
| 15 | Kwara | 22.0 |
| 16 | Kaduna | 21.9 |
| 17 | Adamawa | 21.7 |
| 18 | Oyo | 20.9 |
| 19 | Ogun | 20.5 |
| 20 | Benue | 18.4 |
| 21 | Ebonyi | 16.7 |
| 22 | Ondo | 13.8 |
| 23 | Osun | 12.8 |
| 24 | FCT | 12.8 |
| 25 | Edo | 11.3 |
| 26 | Akwa Ibom | 10.6 |
| 27 | Kogi | 10.2 |
| 28 | Delta | 9.3 |
| 29 | Rivers | 7.7 |
| 30 | Cross River | 7.6 |
| 31 | Enugu | 7.5 |
| 32 | Bayelsa | 7.4 |
| 33 | Lagos | 6.4 |
| 34 | Abia | 5.6 |
| 35 | Ekiti | 5.1 |
| 36 | Imo | 5.1 |
| 37 | Anambra | 2.9 |