Accountability: The Missing Ingredient in Nigeria’s Out-of-School Children Crisis
After unveiling how outdated data and gross mismanagement perpetuate Nigeria’s out-of-school children (OOSC) crisis, the question remains: Who is responsible for this national embarrassment?
by
BJ Maxwell
Accountability: The Missing Ingredient in Nigeria’s Education Crises
In Part One, we unveiled how outdated data and gross mismanagement perpetuate Nigeria’s out-of-school children (OOSC) crisis. But the question remains: Who is responsible for this national embarrassment?
Let’s be clear—this crisis didn’t arise overnight or persist in a vacuum. The OOSC issue is a web of neglect, inefficiency, and outright complicity, woven by multiple actors. Nigeria’s federal and state governments are at the core, entrusted with managing the nation’s education system but repeatedly failing to deliver.
1. A Data Desert: Where Are the Numbers?
Why has Nigeria not updated its OOSC statistics since 2010? This shocking 14-year gap isn’t just a minor oversight—it’s symptomatic of a deliberate abdication of responsibility. Without reliable data, how can policies be effectively designed or progress measured?
The 2010 data estimated Nigeria’s OOSC rate at about 36%, an alarming figure attributed to two significant events:
The aftermath of the 2008 global economic recession devastated economies worldwide, including Nigeria.
The rise of Boko Haram insurgency in northern Nigeria, where the OOSC figures are chronically highest. Boko Haram’s terror campaigns displaced millions, forced children out of classrooms, and destroyed schools.
Before this time, Nigeria had been experiencing a steady improvement in the OOSC rates since 1999 when the data collation started in the country which saw an overall improvement of 17.69% before the 2008 global economic crisis when the rates began to plumate again until data collection stopped in 2010.
Fast-forward to today: Nigeria has largely recovered from the 2008 global economic recession on the way to becoming Africa’s largest economy, graciously decimated Boko Haram and recorded welcoming milestone victories against the terrorists, and schools rebuilt in some northern states by the governors as seen in Borno state for example. Children have returned to classrooms in affected areas, yet the OOSC percentage remains unchanged at the 2010 level. This raises a critical question: Are the figures accurate, or is the high OOSC rate a relic of outdated assumptions and lazy governance?
2. Criminally Inadequate Funding
Despite being Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria allocates less than 10% of its national budget to education—far below UNESCO’s recommended 20-26%. This chronic underfunding reflects a disturbing set of priorities. How can a country expecting to lead the continent in innovation and development starve its education sector of resources?
Consider this: If Nigeria can afford to bail out banks and fund endless political campaigns, why can’t it prioritize its children’s future? The answer lies in a political class more invested in personal gain than national progress.
3. A Culture of Corruption and Waste?
The misuse of education grants and abandonment of critical projects are not anomalies—they are systemic. Billions in international aid disappear into bureaucratic black holes or line the pockets of corrupt officials. For instance:
Why are schools still operating without roofs or basic supplies after funds have been disbursed?
Who audits these expenditures?
This isn’t just negligence; could it be bordered on intentional sabotage? And the victims? Nigeria’s poorest children are left to languish in poverty and illiteracy.
One of the new schools built by Governor Zulum of Borno State who has reduced OOSC from 2 million to 800,000 in his state
Global Complicity: The Silence of International Donors
The international community is not blameless in this crisis. Organizations like UNICEF, the World Bank, and USAID have poured billions into Nigeria’s education sector over the years. Yet, their funding mechanisms lack the stringent accountability required to ensure real impact.
Where Are the Demands for Transparency?
Why do these global players rarely insist on up-to-date data or comprehensive audits? It begs the question:
Are these organizations more concerned with maintaining diplomatic relationships than driving meaningful change?
Or are they simply content with half-measures, prioritizing token achievements over transformative outcomes?
By continuing to fund Nigeria’s education sector without demanding robust oversight, these donors inadvertently perpetuate the inefficiency and corruption they claim to combat.
The Human Cost of Inaction
Every day that this crisis persists, millions of Nigerian children remain out of school, and the consequences ripple across generations:
Economic Decay
A poorly educated workforce hampers innovation, productivity, and long-term economic growth. According to UNICEF, Nigeria loses over $10 billion annually due to its high number of OOSC.
Social Unrest
Education is a proven tool for peace and social stability. Without it, poverty and crime flourish, creating a breeding ground for unrest, insurgency, and extremism.
A National Shame on the Global Stage
Nigeria, often touted as the “Giant of Africa,” continues to hold the humiliating title of having the world’s highest number of out-of-school children. What does this say about the country’s priorities and leadership?
The Way Forward: Concrete Steps to Reverse the Crisis
This is not a hopeless situation, but it demands urgent and collective action. Here’s what must happen:
1. Data Overhaul
The federal government must immediately prioritize the collection and publication of updated OOSC statistics. This is not negotiable. Partnering with credible organizations for independent audits can ensure accuracy and transparency.
2. Enforce Accountability for Every Naira Spent
Both local and international stakeholders must demand strict accountability for education funds. This means requiring transparent audits, measurable outcomes, and penalties for misuse. Donors, in particular, should make these conditions non-negotiable before releasing grants.
3. Empower Communities to Act
Grassroots advocacy is essential. Civil society organizations, journalists, and concerned citizens must amplify their voices, demanding better governance and investment in education. Community-based monitoring can ensure funds and resources reach their intended beneficiaries.
4. Redefine Priorities
Nigeria’s political elite must be pressured to prioritize education over politicking. This requires sustained advocacy, rallies if necessary, and a collective refusal to accept excuses for inaction.
Your Role: From Outrage to Action
Now that the facts are laid bare, the question is: What will you do about it?
Will you share this article to ignite awareness? Will you challenge your leaders to confront the crisis head-on? Will you join advocacy groups pushing for reforms?
This isn’t just a government problem—it’s a national emergency. Nigeria’s children are not mere statistics; they are the future engineers, doctors, teachers, and leaders who will shape the country’s destiny. The time for apathy is over. The time for action is now.
Don’t let outdated statistics and systemic neglect define Nigeria’s future. Speak up. Demand accountability. Together, we can rewrite this tragic narrative into a story of hope and transformation.
BJ Maxwell, a Business and Data Analyst, writes from Canada. Follow him on X.com: @bjmaxwell1