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18.3 Million Pupils Are Out Of School In Nigeria – UNICEF

Published

2 years ago

May 8, 2024

Editor

Dr. Rane Tushar, Chief of Bauchi Field Office, UNICEF Nigeria

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), on Wednesday, says that a total of 18.3 pupils are out of school in Nigeria.

Dr. Tushar Rane, UNICEF’S Chief of Field Office, Bauchi State, stated this during a two-day regional stakeholders meeting on out-of-school children and retention, transition as well as completion models in Bauchi, Gombe and Adamawa states.

Breaking down the figure, Rane said that a staggering 10.2 million primary school-age children and 8.1 million at the junior secondary level are out of school in the country.

According to him, this trend positioned Nigeria with the challenge of having the largest number of out-of-school children globally.

“Only 63 per cent of children of primary school age regularly attend school.

“According to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2021, only 84 per cent of children effectively transition to junior secondary education after primary school completion.

“Less than 50 percent – about 2.4 million – of the 5.9 million children who commence Primary Grade 1 annually in Nigeria persist to the conclusion of Junior Secondary Grade 3.

“An analysis of the MICS reports between 2011 and 2021 shows an increase in dropout rates across all genders at the primary level especially in the northern part of the country,” he said.

The UNICEF boss explained that this consistent pattern suggested that, compared to a decade ago, the education system in Nigeria faced challenges in retaining students and ensuring their continued education across all the regions, adding that the problem persisted in the Northeast and Northwest.

He said that UNICEF was deeply concerned with the rate of out-of-school children, and low learning achievement in the country, especially in the Northeast and Northwest regions.

To this end, he said UNICEF, in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission developed the National Framework of Action to reduce the number of Out-of-School Children in Nigeria which ensured inclusive and equitable quality education and promoted lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Also speaking, a director from Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board, Yawoji Bala, highlighted some of the factors increasing the number of out-of-school children to include; early marriage, peer group, social norms and beliefs.

The meeting was attended by commissioners of education from Bauchi , Adamawa and Gombe states as well as executive secretaries of SUBEB and other relevant agencies across the three Northeastern states.

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Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

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2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

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2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.