Nigeria Aims To Enrol Half Of Nomadic Children In Formal Education by 2027.
The Nigerian Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to integrate at least 50% of the country’s nomadic children into formal basic education by 2027, marking a significant step towards reducing the number of out-of-school children. The announcement, made by Folake Olatunji-David, Director of Basic Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, outlines a strategic roadmap to address educational disparities among nomadic communities.
Speaking during a virtual interview from Abuja, Olatunji-David detailed the Ministry’s phased approach, which targets enrolling 20% of nomadic children by 2026, with an additional 30% by 2027. This initiative is part of the broader “Education for Renewed Hope: Roadmap for the Nigerian Education Sector, 2024-2027,” which prioritises reducing the out-of-school children rate, improving foundational literacy and numeracy, and enhancing basic education access. The plan addresses the estimated 5 million nomadic children currently without access to formal schooling, many of whom spend their days tending cattle or working on farms in remote areas.
The Ministry, in collaboration with the National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE), has introduced an accelerated basic education scheme to help these children catch up with their peers. This programme condenses the standard six-year basic education curriculum into a more flexible format, tailored to the nomadic lifestyle. Additionally, skill-based modules aligned with their communities’ traditional occupations, such as pastoralism and farming, will be incorporated to ensure practical relevance and economic empowerment. “We aim to make education accessible and viable, enabling these children to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development,” Olatunji-David stated.
To support this initiative, the NCNE has launched a nationwide survey to gather precise data on out-of-school nomadic children, with a pilot phase conducted in July 2025 across six geopolitical zones. The survey, backed by partners like the Universal Basic Education Board and the National Bureau of Statistics, will inform targeted interventions, including the establishment of learning centres and the recruitment of qualified teachers. This effort responds to challenges highlighted in recent reports, such as a student-teacher ratio of 91:1 in nomadic schools, far exceeding UNESCO’s recommended 40:1, alongside issues like infrastructure deficits and teacher attrition.
The government’s commitment extends beyond formal education, with plans for an “open school scheme” to promote entrepreneurship and functional skills among nomadic youth. This holistic approach aims to address cultural and security barriers that have historically hindered educational access for nomadic communities, particularly in Nigeria’s northern regions. With UNESCO estimating 28 million out-of-school children nationwide in 2024, this initiative is a critical component of Nigeria’s goal to reduce that figure by 15 million by 2027.
Education stakeholders have welcomed the plan, though some urge swift implementation to overcome logistical challenges in remote areas. The Ministry’s proactive steps, including digital profiling of out-of-school children and geolocating nomadic communities, signal a robust framework to ensure no child is left behind. As Nigeria pushes towards inclusive education, this bold commitment offers hope for a brighter future for millions of nomadic children.
