The number of children dropping out of school in Nigeria is worsening, particularly in the northern part of the country. Recent data from The Cable Index shows that Kebbi, Sokoto, and Yobe states are the top three places where children between the ages of 6 and 15 are no longer attending school.
In Kebbi State, approximately 67.6% of children are unable to attend school. The implication of this is that almost 7 out of every 10 children in the state are not in the classroom. Then, Sokoto state follows with 66.4%, and Yobe is not far behind. It comes third with 62.9%. These numbers are very troubling and disturbing, as they highlight the severity of the educational issues in these areas.
Other states with high dropout rates include Zamfara (61.3%), Bauchi (55.7%), Borno (54.2%), Jigawa (51.1%), Gombe (48%), Katsina (45.9%), and Niger (42.8%). Many of these children stop school because of poverty, insecurity, child labour, lack of teachers and classrooms, and early marriage. In places like Borno and Yobe, schools have been destroyed due to insecurity, and some families are too poor even to buy school books or uniforms.
When children are left out of the school system, it has a considerable impact that affects not just them but the whole country. Those children will grow up, but they will lack the necessary skills and competencies to compete in a rapidly changing, technology-driven society. Government and policymakers need to wake up. Every child deserves the opportunity to attend school, learn, and have a brighter future. Education should not be a luxury; it should be a right.
