Worries As 18.3 Million Children Out Of School In Nigeria

Worries As 18.3 Million Children Out Of School In Nigeria

OpenLife News reports that the World Literacy Foundation celebrated International Literacy Day in Lagos on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 with an event that brought together partners, educators, and youth ambassadors to highlight its initiatives in Nigeria, including the Sun Books and Pen Pal programs.

The attendees included representatives from Sterling Bank, Money Africa, TotalEnergies, Heirs Energies, and Coronation Group. Also present were head teachers from Ikota Nursery and Primary School and El Perez Nursery and Primary School, the education secretary for Eti-Osa Local Government, and Youth Ambassador Rayman Agban.

The event pointed out the urgent need for a new approach to literacy intervention in Nigeria, which has the highest number of out-of-school children globally. According to UNICEF, approximately 18.3 million children are not enrolled in school in Nigeria, with around 10.2 million of those being of primary school age.

Being in school does not guarantee literacy. Nigeria’s adult literacy rate is approximately 70 percent, with the most significant challenges found in the Northwest and Northeast regions.

Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa has pointed out that these two regions have received 80 percent of the country’s education donor funding over the past decade, yet they continue to show the weakest educational outcomes.

Sun Books provides solar-powered tablets preloaded with up to 600 e-books, stories, educational games, videos, and audiobooks in both local languages and English. These tablets do not require mains electricity or an internet connection, making them essential for communities with unreliable resources. In addition, teachers receive training when these devices are introduced.

Since its launch in 2014, the program has distributed over 1,000 tablets. In Nigeria, it is active in Rivers State and also operates in Uganda, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.

Andrew Kay, CEO and Founder of the World Literacy Foundation, emphasized that “literacy goes beyond just learning to read; it is a crucial key to unlocking opportunities, reducing poverty, and helping children reach their full potential.” He also noted that “millions of young people still lack access to books and the essential support needed for literacy.”

The figures behind the concern:
• Nigeria has an estimated 18.3 million children who are out of school, with 10.2 million of this population being of primary school age, according to UNICEF.

• Nigeria’s adult literacy rate stands at approximately 70 percent, indicating that nearly three in ten adults are unable to read or write a basic statement, according to the World Bank.

• Learning poverty impacts 64 percent of children in rural Nigeria, compared to 54 percent in urban areas.
• Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of educational exclusion in the world, with approximately 182 million adults lacking basic reading skills, according to UNESCO.

• Approximately 739 million adults around the world are unable to read or write, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

The Foundation’s One Book at a Time campaign encourages people around the globe to contribute $10 to provide a book for a child in need. The goal is to reach 500,000 children, and donors have the option to select Africa as the region where their book will be sent.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of International Literacy Day, which was established by UNESCO in 1966. The theme for 2026 is “Literacy for People, the Planet, and Prosperity.”