News

Over 10 Million School-aged Children In Nigeria Out Of School – UNICEF Laments

Published

3 years ago

July 26, 2023

Editor

… Tasks Journalists To Amplify Voices Of Out-of-school-children

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Bauchi Field Office, has lamented that over 10 million children who are ought to be in school in Nigeria are roaming the streets.

Dr. Tushar Rane, Chief of Field Office UNICEF Nigeria, Bauchi Field Office made the revelation on Wednesday in Misau Local Government Area of the state at a media dialogue on out-of-school children organised by the international NGO.

While calling on journalists to amplify the voices of out-of-school children in the state, he also tasked journalists to use the event to advocate for change.

He further reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind.

The UNICEF boss, who reiterated that education is a fundamental right that empowers children to reach their full potential, expressed sadness that a significant number of children in Bauchi State were unable to access this fundamental right.

“Education is a fundamental right that empowers children to reach their full potential, it is deeply concerning that, due to varying factors, a significant number of children in Bauchi state are unable to access this fundamental right, robbing them of their dreams and aspirations.”

He added: “Despite the importance of education, at least, over 10 million school-aged children in Nigeria are out of school. This is a major challenge to all of us.

“I encourage us to let the discussions from this media dialogue motivate us, to amplify the voices of out-of-school-children, advocate for change, and to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind.

“At UNICEF, we are committed to improving the lives of children and women in Nigeria, especially in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the Education for All goals of educating all children at all levels and in all groups,” he said.

According to him, in the 2023 UNICEF’s enrollment drive campaign, it would be engaging traditional, religious stakeholders, School Based Management Committees, and youths to ensure effective awareness and mobilization of parents, guardians, communities, on the importance of enrolling all school-age children in schools.

Also speaking, An Education Specialist, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Abdulrahman Ado, said that Nigeria is contributing 15 percent to the number of out-of-school children in the world and Bauchi state has the highest number of out-of-school children in the North-East.

He also said that according to the data from the Nigeria Education Data Survey report of 2018, Nigeria is unlikely to achieve SDGs 4, adding that Nigeria still maintains the enrollment figures of 1995 of 60 percent.

“In 1995, enrollment was 60 percent, 2001 was 70 percent, 2003-2005 recorded 84.

“However, there was a nose dive in 2007 to 59 percent, in 2011 to 2013, there was an improvement to 79 percent while it sharply fell in 2015-2017 to 61 percent and the recent data of 2018 is exactly what Nigeria recorded in 1995,” he said.

Ado further highlighted some of the factors contributing to the menace of out-of-school children in the country to economic recession, funding, insecurities, lack of equity, changes in national and state-level administration as well as lack of sustainability in activities when development partners withdraw.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

1 hour 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

Published

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.