Amidst a surge in attacks on schools by terrorists across Nigeria, a new report sheds light on the crippling impact of insecurity on education in the country.
Titled “Insecurity and Education in Nigeria: The Context and Challenges,” the report, authored by the International Organization for Peace Building and Social Justice (PSJUK), underscores the dire human cost inflicted on students, teachers, and families.
In the report’s introduction, signed by PSJ-UK CEO Ayo Adedoyin and IA Foundation Founder CEO Ibironke Adeagbo, the apparent helplessness, indecisiveness, and lack of sustained commitment to remedial action despite the crisis’s devastating toll are highlighted.
Nationwide, schools are facing closure due to repeated attacks, resulting in a significant number of children being unable to attend school. Nigeria currently harbours one of the world’s largest populations of out-of-school children, accounting for 15 percent of the global total. In the Northeast alone, the number of out-of-school children stands at a staggering 1.6 million.
In recent weeks, hundreds of students have been abducted and subsequently released in Kaduna and Katsina. Tragically, a teacher kidnapped alongside the students in Kaduna lost their life before the students regained their freedom.
The report warns that the intertwined crises of insecurity and education will have dire consequences for Nigeria’s overall development, potentially leaving an entire generation with limited skills and unable to compete globally. Moreover, these crises are likely to impact the wider West African region and the world, with migration emerging as a critical concern.
Despite efforts by national and international stakeholders to address both challenges, progress has been scant. The report observes that responses to insecurity, such as military operations and peace negotiations, and efforts to improve education through policy reforms and infrastructure development, have failed to yield sustainable solutions.
Findings from the report underscore Nigeria’s urgent need to tackle the insecurity and education crises. Failure to do so could result in a generation unable to compete in the job market, hampering the country’s long-term development efforts and exacerbating poverty.
To effectively address these challenges, the report advocates for a comprehensive approach involving both national and international actors. Recommended measures include strengthening security measures, promoting inclusive governance, investing in education infrastructure, and enhancing access to quality education for all.
“By addressing the root causes of insecurity and prioritizing education, Nigeria can pave the way for a more stable and prosperous future,” the report concludes.
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