Nigeria: 10 million children lack early childhood education

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has warned that approximately 10 million Nigerian children are currently excluded from early childhood care, development, and education (ECCDE). Data indicates that only 35.6 per cent of children aged 36 to 59 months are enrolled in any form of early childhood education.

UBEC Executive Secretary Dr. Aisha Garba noted that this lack of early engagement contributes to significant learning crises later in life. Specifically, about 70 per cent of 10-year-olds in Nigeria are unable to read or understand simple text. Furthermore, of the 5.9 million children who begin primary school annually, only roughly 2.4 million remain in the education system by the end of junior secondary school.

The commission also highlighted developmental concerns, noting that 46 per cent of children aged 24 to 59 months are developmentally off-track. Addressing these issues requires treating early childhood development as an integrated national priority involving health, nutrition, and social welfare, rather than a standalone educational program.