The Osun Government has dismissed reports alleging that the state has the highest number of out-of-school children in South-West Nigeria, describing the claim as inaccurate and misleading.
In a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Osun State Ministry of Education, Mr. Adekilekun Jimoh, the government refuted a media report that claimed there were 297,000 out-of-school children in the state.
According to the ministry, the figure was incorrectly linked to a recent media dialogue organised by the Osun State Ministry of Education in partnership with UNICEF in Ede. The government clarified that no such statistic was presented during the event.
Jimoh explained that the figures discussed at the programme related to participation in educational initiatives rather than the number of out-of-school children in the state.
He stated that approximately 97,000 learners have enrolled in the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) and Passport to Earn (P2E) platforms in Osun State. These platforms are designed to provide learning opportunities and digital skills development for children and young people.
The Permanent Secretary emphasized that the enrolment figures were mistakenly interpreted and reported as out-of-school statistics, leading to a false narrative about the state’s education sector.
He described the publication as damaging and misleading, stressing that the information presented during the dialogue was focused on programme participation and not on the population of children outside the formal education system.
The ministry also urged media organisations to verify facts and statistics before publication, noting that inaccurate reports can create unnecessary misconceptions about educational progress and government efforts.
Furthermore, the Osun State Government called on the newspaper responsible for the report to withdraw the publication and issue an apology to the state government, the Ministry of Education, and UNICEF.
The Nigeria Learning Passport and Passport to Earn initiatives were highlighted during the media dialogue as important tools for expanding access to quality education, digital learning resources, and skills acquisition opportunities for young people across the state.
Meanwhile, governments and education stakeholders across Nigeria continue to work on strategies aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children and improving access to quality education.
At the national level, the Federal Government recently reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the out-of-school children challenge through coordinated reforms and targeted interventions. Speaking at the 2026 Basic Education in Nigeria Boot Camp Summit held in Jos, Plateau State, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, emphasized the need for inclusive and accessible education for all Nigerian children.
The summit, themed “Enhancing Access to Inclusive Quality Education and Bridging the Gap for Out-of-School Children in Nigeria,” brought together policymakers, educators, development partners, and other stakeholders to discuss practical solutions to one of the country’s most pressing educational challenges.
As efforts continue nationwide, education experts maintain that accurate data, effective policies, and strong collaboration among stakeholders remain essential for ensuring that every child has access to quality learning opportunities.
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