UBEC: 13.2m children out of school in Nigeria

The number of out-of-school children in Nigeria has increased from 10.5 million to 13.2 million between 2010 and 2015.

Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Hamid Boboyi, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at a Pre-conference briefing on Northern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Conference on Out-of-school children.

Represented by Bello Kagara, the Director of Social Mobilisation, Boboyi said the figure was revealed by the Demography Health Survey (DHS) jointly conducted by UNICEF and the Ministry of Education.

He noted that the Boko Haram insurgency has led to the near collapse of education in north-east Nigeria.

Speaking, Chief Education Specialist of UNICEF, Terry Durnnian, said the world can only address the problem of out-of-school children if Nigeria plays her role in addressing the scourge of Boko Haram insurgency.

“We are ready to make commitment for actions, the process has begun by UNICEF to lead and support the process of reducing the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria,” he said.

Also, the Emir of Argungun, Alhaji Samaila Mera, said the involvement of traditional rulers will help address the problems of out-of-school children in Nigeria.