The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised concern over the high number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, identifying Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina as the most affected states and urging stronger investment in early childhood education as a long-term solution.
The organisation noted that Nigeria currently has about 18.3 million out-of-school children, the highest globally, with the three northern states contributing close to 30 per cent of the figure.
It attributed the situation to poverty, insecurity, cultural barriers, and weak school readiness systems.
Speaking at a two-day media dialogue for journalists from the three states, an education consultant with the UNICEF Kano Field Office, Aisha Abdullahi, on Sunday, said addressing the crisis requires a shift from reactive responses to preventive strategies anchored on early childhood education.
She explained that Early Childhood Care, Development and Education (ECCDE) plays a critical role in shaping children’s learning outcomes and preventing school dropouts before formal education begins.
“Early childhood education is not just a preparatory stage but a strategic intervention to reduce the number of out-of-school children,” Abdullahi said.
According to her, ECCDE focuses on children from birth to five years, helping them develop essential cognitive, emotional, and social skills needed for primary education and beyond.
She added that children who access early learning are more likely to enrol in school, remain in the system, and complete their education, while those who miss it face a higher risk of dropping out.
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Abdullahi also cited studies showing that nearly 90 per cent of brain development occurs before age five, describing the period as a critical window for intervention.
Although Nigeria’s basic education policy provides for one year of pre-primary education, she noted that access remains limited, particularly in rural communities.
She further observed that areas with functional ECCDE centres record significantly higher enrolment into Primary One, alongside improved retention rates.
Stakeholders at the dialogue also discussed gender-related impacts, noting that early childhood education can help reduce early marriage and improve girls’ school participation, while also strengthening parental involvement.
However, concerns were raised over the low participation of fathers in early learning activities, with estimates suggesting fewer than 15 per cent are actively involved.
Participants argued that increased male engagement could reduce dropout rates and called for community sensitisation, mosque-based advocacy, and structured father-child learning initiatives.
They also urged government action, including expanded ECCDE coverage in all primary schools, increased budgetary allocation to early education, improved teacher training, and better integration of traditional and religious education systems.
The dialogue concluded that strengthening early childhood education remains essential to reducing Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis and improving long-term learning outcomes.