Out of School Children in Nigeria: Implications and Way Forward

Abstract

This paper examined the concept of out-of-school children in Nigeria, the factors responsible for out-of-school children, the social implications of out-of-school children and suggested a way forward. Secondary data were used in the paper. The design for this research was a descriptive survey and the method of collecting the data was through the use of questionnaires; data were sourced from print and online publications. The paper identified causes of out-of-school children in Nigeria to include poor funding of education, corruption, banditry, kidnapping, poor implementation of the Child Rights Act, insecurity problems, lack of political will to address the challenges, high rate of poverty, and high fertility rate. Through a comprehensive review of literature, policy analysis, and empirical evidence, this paper provides insights into the implications and potential strategies for the Out of School Children The paper also concluded that the social implications of out-of-school children include security challenges, a shortage of skilled manpower in the future, a bad international image, high levels of illiteracy and high socio-economic and dependency issues. Finally, the paper recommended, among other things, that the federal, state and local governments should come up with programmes to address the implications of out-of-school children in Nigeria. Also, adequate funding should be allocated to the education sector at all levels of government.