By Simeon OSAJIE
The member representing Esan Central Constituency in the Edo State Youth Parliament, Hon. Ogbidi Peace Ofure, has called for more action to further reduce the high number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
He made the call on Wednesday in Benin while addressing journalists on the occasion of the 2025 (second edition) national school dropout prevention campaign, with the theme, “Empowering Futures: Sustaining the Promise of Education.”
Hon. Ofure identified poverty, economic hardship, conflicts, cultural and gender norms (including early marriage and apprenticeship), insecurity, as the root causes of the alarming rate of school dropouts in Nigeria.
“This year’s theme, “Empowering Futures: Sustaining the Promise of Education,” underscores our collective responsibility to ensure that every child in Nigeria remains in school, equipped to learn, lead, and thrive.
“Since its inception in 2024, the campaign has become a nationwide platform advocating for accessible, inclusive, and quality education for all children and youth.
“The visible success recorded from last year’s maiden edition, which contributed to a remarkable decline in the number of out-of-school children from 20 million to 18.1 million (UNESCO, 2024), has given us stronger conviction to continue this movement.
“Our vision remains clear: to reduce dropout rates, reintegrate out-of-school children, and strengthen community participation in sustaining education for all.
“Despite notable progress, Nigeria still grapples with one of the highest out-of-school populations globally. According to recent data from UNICEF and UNESCO (2024–2025), about 18.1 million Nigerian children and adolescents are currently out of school.
“Many families cannot afford tuition, uniforms, or transportation. Children are forced to drop out to support the family income, a cycle that perpetuates poverty.
“Armed conflicts in parts of the North have led to school closures, displacement, and parental fear of sending children to school. Rising insecurity and social instability as idle youth become vulnerable to crime and
radicalization.
“Deep-rooted traditions continue to prioritize early marriage or informal apprenticeship over education, especially for girls.
Hon. Ofure therefore urged government at all levels to prioritize strong policy implementation, sufficient funding devoid of corruption.
Responding, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, commended the National Dropout Prevention Campaign.
Alenkhe who called for free and compulsory education from primary to secondary school levels, urged governments to arrest and prosecute parents of out-of-school children.