Nigeria faces a significant challenge with many children out of school. This issue is more pronounced in certain states, particularly in the northern regions.
The National Mass Education Programme Initiative (NMPI) 2022 has provided a comprehensive list detailing the percentage of out-of-school children across various states.
Below is an extensive breakdown of these figures.
Overview
The data reveals a concerning trend where states such as Kebbi, Sokoto, and Yobe have the highest percentages of out-of-school children, with figures surpassing 60%. This highlights the urgent need for interventions to ensure that children in these regions have access to education.
State-by-State Analysis
Highest Percentages
The following states have the highest rates of out-of-school children:
- Kebbi: 67.6%
- Sokoto: 66.4%
- Yobe: 62.9%
These states are followed closely by Zamfara and Bauchi, with over half of the children aged 6–15 not attending school.
Mid-Range Percentages
States such as Jigawa, Gombe, and Katsina also show concerning figures:
- Jigawa: 51.1%
- Gombe: 48%
- Katsina: 45.9%
Lower Percentages
At the lower end of the spectrum, states like Lagos, Abia, and Anambra have the lowest percentages:
- Lagos: 6.4%
- Abia: 5.6%
- Anambra: 2.9%
These figures suggest a better educational outreach and possibly more effective policies in place to combat the issue of out-of-school children.
Detailed Breakdown by States (Table)
| Rank | State | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kebbi | 67.6 |
| 2 | Sokoto | 66.4 |
| 3 | Yobe | 62.9 |
| 4 | Zamfara | 61.3 |
| 5 | Bauchi | 55.7 |
| 6 | Borno | 54.2 |
| 7 | Jigawa | 51.1 |
| 8 | Gombe | 48.0 |
| 9 | Katsina | 45.9 |
| 10 | Niger | 42.8 |
| 11 | Kano | 39.2 |
| 12 | Taraba | 28.8 |
| 13 | Nasarawa | 25.4 |
| 14 | Plateau | 23.2 |
| 15 | Kwara | 22.0 |
| 16 | Kaduna | 21.9 |
| 17 | Adamawa | 21.7 |
| 18 | Oyo | 20.9 |
| 19 | Ogun | 20.5 |
| 20 | Benue | 18.4 |
| 21 | Ebonyi | 16.7 |
| 22 | Ondo | 13.8 |
| 23 | Osun | 12.8 |
| 24 | FCT | 12.8 |
| 25 | Edo | 11.3 |
| 26 | Akwa Ibom | 10.6 |
| 27 | Kogi | 10.2 |
| 28 | Delta | 9.3 |
| 29 | Rivers | 7.7 |
| 30 | Cross River | 7.6 |
| 31 | Enugu | 7.5 |
| 32 | Bayelsa | 7.4 |
| 33 | Lagos | 6.4 |
| 34 | Abia | 5.6 |
| 35 | Ekiti | 5.1 |
| 36 | Imo | 5.1 |
| 37 | Anambra | 2.9 |
