2024 Data Shows High Primary-School Out-of-School Rates Across Northern States

Nigeria’s 2024 primary-school out-of-school data shows a wide regional gap, with several Northern states recording the highest rates. Kebbi recorded the highest rate at 65%, followed by Bauchi and Zamfara at 61% each. Yobe stood at 58%, Gombe at 54%, while Borno and Sokoto recorded 51% each. Jigawa, Niger, Katsina, Kano, Adamawa and Taraba were also among the states with notably high figures. The data points to an urgent need for stronger investment in basic education, foundational literacy, school retention, teacher training, school feeding, child protection and safe access to schools. Support for vulnerable households and girls’ education will also be essential. These figures should be treated as a development challenge, not a condemnation. Ensuring that children enrol, remain in school and gain literacy and numeracy skills is vital to Northern Nigeria’s future and to Nigeria’s broader economic development. The figures were attributed to UNICEF data compiled by StatiSense.

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