Learning Poverty In Nigeria: The Way Forward

The question in Nigeria’s education sector is no longer simply, “Are our children in school?” but rather, “Are they truly learning?” Learning poverty, as defined by the World Bank, is the inability of a 10-year-old to read and understand a simple text a skill every child should possess by that age.

Disturbingly, UNICEF’s 2022 report revealed that over 70% of Nigerian primary school pupils fall into this category. Even in urban and semi-urban schools with better infrastructure, many children still struggle to read at grade level or solve basic math problems, raising urgent questions about where exactly the system is failing.

These statistics are more than just numbers; they are a wake-up call. Education is often called the cornerstone of national development, but without real learning taking place, that cornerstone crumbles. If we want to secure the future of our children and, by extension, the nation, classrooms must become places where knowledge is actually gained, not just where pupils are counted. The way forward begins with acknowledging the depth of the problem, demanding accountability, and ensuring that every child in Nigeria has the opportunity to not just attend school but to learn and thrive.