The problem of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria is severe and has far-reaching consequences. Despite the well-known issues, little progress has been made.
Children are often described as the leaders of tomorrow, but in Northern Nigeria, the value of education is not widely recognized, leading to a lack of commitment from leaders and politicians. Instead, many politicians exploit these children as political thugs.
Northern Nigeria has the highest percentage of out-of-school children in the country. According to 2024 research, states like Kebbi have 67% of children out of school, Sokoto 66%, Yobe 62%, Zamfara 61%, Bauchi 55%, Borno 54%, Jigawa 51%, Gombe 48%, Katsina 45%, and Niger 42%. With such high percentages, achieving development goals in Northern Nigeria is challenging.
Every year, Northern state governors budgeting for education, including federal government-funded school feeding programs, yet these initiatives fail to attract children to schools.
There is a deep-seated skepticism toward Western education in the North, making it crucial to start awareness campaigns to highlight the benefits and importance of education.
Politicians use out-of-school children as thugs to snatch ballot boxes during elections and to commit violence, a direct consequence of their lack of education.
Boko Haram terrorists also exploit these children, using them as suicide bombers and recruiting them into their ranks.
Despite efforts by UNICEF to address the issue, especially in the Boko Haram-dominated North East, the lack of education continues to affect the region.
Northern Nigeria faces multiple security challenges, including bandit attacks in the North West, Boko Haram insurgency in the North East, and conflicts involving Fulani herdsmen in various parts of the country. Addressing these challenges without enrolling children in school is impossible.
Both federal and state governments must collaborate to tackle the problem of out-of-school children, particularly in the North.
Failure to do so will perpetuate insecurity. Unemployment is another significant issue, especially in Northern Nigeria, where even graduates struggle to find jobs, plunging the region further into poverty and insecurity.
Despite available jobs in federal and state institutions, leaders often claim there are no jobs while appointing their children and relatives to positions in agencies like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the Nigerian Ports Authority.
Meanwhile, the children of ordinary citizens are often relegated to teaching jobs or recruited into the Nigerian Army to protect politicians and their families.
If the Northern Governors Forum does not address this situation, the future of Northern youths is in jeopardy.
This neglect will make it easier for terrorists to recruit them, expanding their activities in the region.
It is imperative for leaders to recognize the urgency of this issue and take immediate action to ensure that every child has access to quality education.
