In an update published by The Punch, Education Minister Tunji Alausa has warned that Nigeria requires at least $345 million annually to effectively tackle the country’s growing out-of-school children crisis. Speaking at a policy forum, the Minister emphasized that without this consistent funding, the nation risks losing an entire generation to illiteracy and poverty.
The government is looking to partner with international donors and the private sector to bridge this gap. Alausa noted that the current education budget is insufficient to provide the necessary infrastructure and teacher training required to absorb the millions of children currently roaming the streets.
The Guardian highlighted the Minister’s plea, stating, “Nigeria’s out-of-school crisis demands urgent financial intervention,” while Tribune reported that “the $345m target is essential for the Renewed Hope Agenda’s educational goals.”
Echotitbits take: $345 million sounds like a lot, but it is a fraction of what Nigeria loses to corruption and oil theft annually. The challenge isn’t just raising the money; it’s ensuring that the funds actually reach the rural schools where the out-of-school crisis is most acute.
Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/nigerias-out-of-school-crisis-demands-345m-yearly-alausa/, March 26, 2026
Photo credit: The Punch
