Says only one in four Nigerian children can read at 14

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has stated that only one in every four schoolchildren in Nigeria can read properly and solve basic mathematics at age 14.

The revelation was made during a two-day media dialogue on Digital Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Skills Development for Out-of-School Children, organised by Osun State Ministry of Education, in collaboration with UNICEF in Ede, Osun State.

Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, said the data highlights a deep learning crisis affecting children already in schools, warning that millions more remain completely excluded from education.

She added that about 10 million Nigerian children are entirely out of school, warning that they risk being permanently left behind in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world.

Lafoucriere, therefore, warned that the rapid rise of AI and digital technology could worsen inequality if urgent action is not taken to improve access to quality education and digital skills.

She noted that girls are disproportionately affected due to poverty, cultural barriers and social exclusion, and called on the media to sustain attention on the crisis to drive policy action.

The UNICEF also called on media practitioners to sustain advocacy on education issues, saying that journalists have a critical role to play in driving policy actions and improving learning outcomes for millions of Nigerian children.

Lafoucriere stressed that persistent and impactful reporting could compel stakeholders to address the country’s growing education challenges.

The UNICEF boss noted that beyond those already in schools, millions of children remain excluded from the education system altogether.

She warned that the rapid advancement of technology and AI would further widen inequalities unless urgent measures are taken to equip children with relevant skills.

Lafoucriere, therefore, urged journalists to keep education issues on the front burner, noting that sustained media attention often influences government policies and public action.

The UNICEF official also lauded the Osun State Ministry of Education and other stakeholders for supporting initiatives to improve access to education for vulnerable children.

She expressed optimism that stronger collaboration among governments, development partners, communities and the media would help reduce the number of out-of-school children and improve learning outcomes across the country.

In his remarks, Osun State Commissioner for Education, Dipo Eluwole, said that digital technology and AI offer opportunities to bridge learning gaps and improve educational outcomes.

Eluwole, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Muritala Jimoh, said insecurity, poverty and migration continue to drive the number of out-of-school children.

He said the state government, in partnership with UNICEF and other stakeholders, has introduced interventions, such as back-to-school programmes and digital learning initiatives, to reduce exclusion.

UNICEF Education Specialist, Harold Kpojime, said Nigeria now has an estimated 20 million out-of-school children, one of the highest figures globally.

He added that one in every three primary school-age children is currently out of school, warning that the challenge goes beyond enrolment to retention and completion.

UNICEF Communication Officer, Blessings Ejiofor, said the dialogue was aimed at strengthening media advocacy on education challenges and promoting awareness of digital learning solutions.