Governors Raise Alarm Over Worsening Learning Crisis in Primary Schools
The 36 state governors have raised fresh concerns over the deepening crisis in Nigeria’s education system, warning that millions of children in primary schools lack basic learning skills, despite being enrolled in school.
Speaking at a workshop on foundational learning and out-of-school children held in Abuja, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), in partnership with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and NewGlobe, called for urgent reforms to address the widening education gaps across the country.
The NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by the Forum’s education advisor, Leo The Great, said Nigeria is facing a learning emergency. He explained that while enrollment figures have improved, most children still struggle with reading, writing, and basic arithmetic.
“Our challenge is not only about children out of school. The real crisis is that many who are in school are not learning,” he said.
Data shared at the workshop revealed that as many as 66 percent of primary school-aged children in Nigeria are either out of school or lack the foundational skills needed to progress academically. AbdulRazaq stressed that these foundational skills are essential to help children stay in school and transition smoothly through different levels of education.
He warned that unless urgent steps are taken, many children risk growing up without the basic tools needed to succeed in life.
UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, represented by the commission’s Deputy Secretary, Rasaq Akinyemi, noted that decades of weak funding, poor teacher training, and lack of learning materials have left the education sector struggling to deliver results.
“The problem goes beyond the effects of the pandemic. This is a structural crisis that has built up over time. Millions of children are missing out on the education they deserve,” she said.
She added that access to education must be matched with quality learning, especially in rural communities where the gaps are more visible.
NewGlobe Vice President for Policy and Partnerships, Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, echoed similar concerns. According to her, state-level assessments show that many pupils in Primary Six still struggle to read or solve simple math problems.
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“This isn’t just about children being out of school. It’s about whether those in school are actually learning. Sadly, too many are not,” she said.
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Participants at the meeting agreed that improving foundational education must become a top priority, with better training for teachers, stronger monitoring systems, and more community involvement. They also called on government at all levels to commit more resources and attention to the sector.
The consensus was clear: Nigeria’s future depends on fixing the roots of its education system—starting from the very first years of learning.