National Summary

Nigeria has the highest number of children out of school in the world. Out of the 57 million youngsters worldwide; not receiving a formal education, more than 10 million live in Nigeria. This is rising.

The majority of non-attendees are girls, mainly in the majority-Muslim north. Of those fortunate enough to enrol, less than two-thirds complete primary school and even fewer girls finish secondary school.

In regions where women have a lower social status, many parents opt to send their girls to work in markets rather than to school. A lack of education vastly reduces a child’s chances of escaping poverty and has led to many girls becoming wives before their 16th birthday.