The Universal Basic Education Commission has raised concerns over the number of Nigerian children who are currently outside the country’s early childhood education system. UBEC estimates that approximately 10 million children are not captured in early childhood care, development and education programmes across the country. The commission disclosed the figure during a capacity-building programme for education officials in Abuja focused on strengthening early childhood education and improving parental and community participation. According to UBEC, only about 35.6 per cent of Nigerian children between the ages of 36 and 59 months currently attend some form of early childhood education. The commission said the situation requires greater attention because the early years of a child’s life are important to cognitive, social and educational development. UBEC also highlighted wider learning challenges affecting Nigerian children. The commission said available data indicate that about 70 per cent of Nigerian children aged 10 cannot read and understand a simple text. The figures have renewed attention on the challenges facing the country’s basic education system and the need for greater investment in early learning. UBEC said early childhood education should not be treated as an issue for the education sector alone. It called for stronger collaboration involving health, nutrition, sanitation, social welfare and local government authorities. The commission has also directed states to include early childhood education interventions in their State Matching Grant Action Plans. The deadline for states to submit their ECCDE action plans was extended to October 5, 2026. UBEC warned that states that fail to submit their plans by the new deadline may not have their proposals considered for funding during the intervention year. The commission’s latest warning has brought renewed focus to the millions of Nigerian children who may be missing important early learning opportunities. Education stakeholders are expected to continue discussions around how governments, communities, parents and other organisations can expand access to quality early childhood education across the country.
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