FG TO CONDUCT NATIONWIDE SURVEY OF OUT-OF-SCHOOL CHILDREN

The Federal Government has announced plans to conduct a nationwide survey to obtain accurate data on the number of out-of-school children across Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen education planning and improve access to basic education.
The survey is expected to provide reliable information that will guide government policies, resource allocation, and targeted interventions aimed at reducing the number of children who are not enrolled in school.
According to the government, the exercise will be carried out in collaboration with relevant ministries, state governments, development partners, and education stakeholders to ensure comprehensive data collection across the country.
Officials said the findings will help identify the major causes of school absenteeism, including poverty, insecurity, child labour, early marriage, and inadequate educational facilities.
The survey will also support ongoing initiatives designed to return out-of-school children to classrooms, improve school enrolment and retention, and strengthen Nigeria’s basic education system.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to quality education, describing accurate data as essential for achieving meaningful and lasting reforms in the sector.
Authorities expressed optimism that the exercise would provide a solid foundation for evidence-based decision-making and accelerate progress toward universal basic education nationwide.