Call for State of Emergency in Nigeria’s Education Sector Amid Rising Numbers of Out-of-School Children

The Executive Director of Seed Care and Support Foundation, Mrs. Olanrewaju Oniyitan, has urged the Nigerian government to declare a state of emergency in the education sector, citing the alarming number of out-of-school children (OSC) across the country. Speaking to the press about her foundation’s plans to ensure that every Nigerian has access to education, Mrs. Oniyitan emphasized the critical role of both public and private schools in addressing this crisis.

“One thing we need to acknowledge is that the government cannot do this alone,” Mrs. Oniyitan said. “In Lagos State, where we operate, there are about 1,700 public schools, but over 20,000 private schools, many of which—around 60%—are low-fee private schools. These schools serve children from low-income communities, often in areas where no public schools exist.” She stressed that for Nigeria to achieve education for all, particularly the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), collaboration with the affordable non-state sector such as these low-fee private schools is essential.

Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, the immediate past Education Commissioner for Lagos State, also weighed in on the issue. She advised parents in underserved communities, where government schools are unavailable, to consider enrolling their children in low-fee private schools. While acknowledging the high costs of some privately-owned schools in Nigeria, Mrs. Adefisayo explained that these schools often struggle to cover operating expenses and maintain quality services. She called on those in leadership positions within the education sector to step outside their offices and see firsthand the challenges faced by communities in accessing education.

As the number of out-of-school children continues to rise, the need for immediate and comprehensive action from both government and private sectors has never been more urgent