Over 8 million children in North‑West Nigeria are out of school, says Shettima

President Kashim Shettima disclosed that more than eight million children in Nigeria’s North‑West region are currently out of school, citing the figure as evidence of the severe multidimensional poverty affecting the area.

The announcement was made on Wednesday during a speech delivered by Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin on the president’s behalf at the North‑West Policy Dialogue. The event focused on reducing multidimensional poverty through innovative financing and a scaled social protection system and was held in Kano.

Shettima noted that the North‑West is strategically important to Nigeria’s development agenda because of its large population, economic potential and youthful workforce. However, the region continues to struggle with significant challenges in education, healthcare, nutrition and income security.

“The burden is grave. We inherited deprivations across health, education, nutrition and income security; over eight million children are out of school; maternal mortality remains frighteningly high; under‑five mortality is painful; and child stunting affects more than half of our children in some communities,” he said.

The president emphasized that poverty should no longer be measured solely by income levels. He argued that lack of access to education, healthcare, food and opportunities provides a more accurate picture of deprivation.

“Poverty is the child who cannot read at ten, the mother who approaches childbirth with fear, the household unsure of tomorrow’s food, and the young mind outside the classroom while the world races towards artificial intelligence and a knowledge economy,” he stated.

Shettima reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to strengthen social protection programmes that support vulnerable households and protect citizens against poverty, insecurity and economic shocks.

The vice president also called for a Universal Child Benefit scheme, asserting that it could significantly improve child nutrition, increase school enrolment and reduce child labour and early marriage.

“The child is the most honest measure of any society. When a child is hungry, the future is hungry; when a child is out of school, the nation is out of position,” he added.

Shettima urged governors, policymakers, development partners and other stakeholders to move beyond policy discussions and implement practical interventions that will improve the welfare of children and vulnerable families across the North‑West.