Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Ibadan, Nigeria — Education leaders, civil society groups, and advocates in Oyo State have raised serious concerns over a deepening crisis in basic education, revealing that approximately 670,000 children aged 3 to 17 are currently out of school. Stakeholders say this figure reflects not only a failure to provide access to formal education for thousands of children but also a broader social and economic challenge threatening the future of the state’s youth.
At a stakeholders’ engagement held in Ibadan and organized by local education and civil society groups, experts highlighted multiple factors contributing to the high number of out-of-school children. Poverty, household economic pressures, inadequate school infrastructure, teacher shortages, and insufficient social support for vulnerable families were cited as the main drivers of the crisis. Rural and peri-urban communities, in particular, are disproportionately affected, with children often compelled to engage in income-generating activities to support their families.
Infrastructure deficits in many public schools were also flagged as a major concern. Reports indicate that classrooms are overcrowded, sanitation facilities are lacking or poorly maintained, and schools frequently lack libraries, recreational amenities, and essential teaching materials. These conditions contribute to low attendance and high dropout rates, especially in underserved areas.
Stakeholders emphasized that girls are among the most affected groups, with cultural expectations, early marriage pressures, and safety concerns during travel to schools posing significant barriers to their continued education. The lack of inclusive education programmes and support for children with disabilities further exacerbates the crisis.
While the state government has implemented initiatives aimed at increasing school enrollment, including community mobilization campaigns and school feeding programmes, stakeholders say these efforts have not yet significantly reduced the number of out-of-school children. They called for a more robust, coordinated strategy involving government agencies, traditional institutions, parents, and development partners to address both access and retention issues.
Recommendations from the forum include the construction of additional classrooms, recruitment and training of more teachers, and the establishment of flexible learning options such as bridging classes and community learning centres. Stakeholders also urged the government to implement and fully fund social protection schemes to alleviate economic pressures that force children out of school.
Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms were highlighted as critical to identifying and tracking out-of-school children and ensuring interventions are targeted effectively. Participants stressed that sustained commitment from political and community leaders is essential to prevent long-term repercussions on human capital development, economic growth, and social cohesion.
The forum concluded with a call for urgent action, emphasizing that securing every child’s right to education must remain central to government policy, budget allocations, and strategic planning in Oyo State.
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