The cost of primary school education in Nigeria varies significantly across geopolitical zones. The cost, which factors in tuition fees, learning materials, uniforms, etc., is highest in the South South at ₦43,783, while the North East has the lowest at ₦9,562.
Ninety-eight per cent of children aged 5 to 14 in the South East and South South zones are enroled in school, compared to significantly lower numbers in the North. For example, in the North East, only 56% of female children are in school.
Since the 2007/08 academic year, Nigeria has consistently held the top spot for the number of African international students in the US. Before this, Kenya and Egypt also led in certain periods.
This trend highlights the evolving landscape of African students pursuing education in the US over the decades.
Nigeria remains the leading African country of origin for students in the US, with over 20,000 enrolled this year.
Ghana, however, recorded the continent's fastest growth rate at 45%. This increase of over 2,900 students brought Ghana’s total to nearly 9,400, making it the second-largest source of African students in the US.
Nigeria also saw a 13.5% rise, adding more than 2,380 students year-over-year.
Overall, the number of students from African countries in the US grew by nearly 12% in the 2023/24 academic year.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) disbursed tuition loans to 58 institutions, with the South West region accounting for 20 institutions. The South South and South East regions had the fewest beneficiaries, with only five institutions each.
Millions of children missing basic education can affect future workforce skill levels and poverty cycles, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, which has the highest number of out-of-school children.
Between 2000 and 2023, Central and Southern Asia achieved a 72% reduction in out-of-school primary-age children, the largest global improvement.
Meanwhile, sub-Saharan Africa only managed a 4.4% decrease. This highlights the critical need for educational investment in regions still lagging behind.
Nigeria's primary school enrolment has increased significantly, reaching 30.5 million enrolments in 2021. This highlights the country's efforts to expand access to education, with consistent annual growth in enrolments over the past two decades.
Notably, male enrolments have consistently surpassed female enrolments annually, but the gaps keep decreasing, signaling continued efforts towards gender parity in education.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), established by the Federal Government of Nigeria, has disbursed over ₦5 billion in tuition payments to 58 universities, with Bayero University, Kano State, receiving ₦834 million.
Nigeria: The best WAEC results in the last nine years were recorded between 2021 and 2023, with many students getting at least five credits, including in mathematics and English.
However, 2024 saw a decline, with 72.1% following 79.8% in 2023.
Private institutions represent the largest share of Nigeria’s higher education sector, accounting for half of the universities and polytechnics in the country.
