Prosper Okoye
Millions of Nigerian children are still not attending school, a child-focused organisation has warned, as the world marks International Education Day.
Saffron Social Development Global Foundation said large numbers of children — especially those from poor and vulnerable backgrounds — continue to be denied access to safe and inclusive education across the country.
In a statement released on Friday, the organisation’s Global Director, Opeyemi Ebulu-Eyuruntari, said poverty, displacement, child labour and abuse were among the main factors keeping children out of classrooms.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“Education remains the most powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty and exclusion, yet for millions of Nigerian children it remains out of reach,” she said.
The foundation said many children face unsafe learning environments, discrimination and lack of support, making it difficult for them not only to enrol in school but also to stay there.
It said schools should do more than provide lessons, arguing that children need learning spaces that are protective, nurturing and inclusive.
“When education is child-centred and supportive, vulnerable children are not only protected from marginalisation but are better equipped to become productive members of society,” the organisation said.
The group called on federal and state governments to strengthen child-protection policies in schools and expand access to inclusive education, especially in underserved communities.
It also urged schools to adopt child-friendly and non-discriminatory practices, while appealing to parents and communities to prioritise education and protect children from exploitation.
Chief ‘Aare’ Oluwasegun Oyedijo, Nigeria’s Country Director, said safeguarding children remained one of the organisation’s top priorities.
“Through advocacy, community engagement and partnerships, we continue to work towards a future where every child, regardless of background, has access to quality education in a safe and supportive environment,” he said.
Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children in the world, according to international development agencies, with conflict, poverty and weak infrastructure worsening the problem.
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As International Education Day is observed globally, Saffron Social Development Global Foundation said renewed investment in child-focused education was critical to the country’s future.
“Education that safeguards today builds a stronger and more inclusive Nigeria tomorrow,” the foundation said.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
