The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Education Development, Professor Salisu Shehu, has stated that only 30 percent of children of school age in Northern Nigeria are currently attending school.
He made this known during the 10th Ramadan lecture organized by the Islamic Forum of Nigeria in Kano.
The professor revealed that over 20 million children in Nigeria are out of school, attributing the situation to security challenges, including bandit attacks in the North-West and insurgency in the North-East, which have led to the closure of schools in some states.
He also expressed concern over the shortage of teachers due to retirement, transfers, and deaths, warning that lack of education contributes to insecurity and terrorism.
Professor Shehu called on Northern governors to declare a state of emergency in the education sector and to increase investment to revive the teaching system. He noted that countries such as Bangladesh and Malaysia had faced similar challenges but achieved progress through collaboration between government and communities.
He criticized what he described as prioritizing less important matters over education, emphasizing that education should be given top priority to safeguard the future of young people.
In his remarks, Alhaji Ibrahim Ado Kurawa linked the worsening security situation to climate change and farmer-herder conflicts, stating that these issues are further deepening poverty and hardship in Northern Nigeria.
Similarly, Professor Kabiru Isa Dandago identified poverty, unemployment, and the high cost of living as major threats to the region’s development.
The Chairman of the National Council of Ulama, Malam Ibrahim Khalil, stressed the importance of honest and patriotic leadership as the solution to the challenges facing Northern Nigeria.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Emir of Rano, Ambassador Muhammad Isa Umaru
*Only 30% of School-Age Children Attend School in Northern Nigeria — Professor Shehu*
