The Universal Basic Education Commission has emphasised that to address the staggering challenge of nearly 20 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, the government must undertake the monumental task of constructing 20,000 schools, complete with a staggering 907,769 classrooms.

This statement was issued by Ben Goong, the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, on Tuesday, September 19, 2023.

During a briefing on the agency's activities, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Hammed Boboyi, conveyed this crucial figure to the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman. It is important to note that as of September 2023, the official count of out-of-school children in Nigeria remains unverified. However, a 2022 report by UNESCO estimated the number at approximately 20 million children currently not enrolled in either primary or secondary schools.

This UNESCO data contradicts the figure presented by the former Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, regarding out-of-school children during the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. In August 2022, Adamu reported a significant drop in the number, stating that it had decreased from an estimated 13 million to 6.9 million. He attributed this decline to robust enrollment efforts and cooperative initiatives between the federal and state governments.

In response to these challenges, UBEC's statement indicated that the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir, has pledged to prioritise basic education in the country. He emphasised the foundational level's critical role in the sector, asserting that its proper development would positively impact other facets of the education system and, ultimately, national development.

Prof. Tahir further urged all state governments to demonstrate increased commitment by providing matching funds to expedite the advancement of basic education in the country. He assured that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, no effort would be spared to ensure that every child in the country has access to education. He also stated that the upcoming National Census would end the disputes surrounding the accurate figures of out-of-school children.