Former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has expressed concern over Nigeria’s worsening education crisis, warning that economic hardship and insecurity are pushing more children out of school.
Speaking at the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Convention held at Rainbow Event Centre in Abuja on Tuesday, Aregbesola said the number of out-of-school children has risen significantly in recent years.
He noted that figures have grown from about 13.2 million to nearly 20 million, attributing the increase to poverty, poor governance, and lack of adequate social support systems.
According to him, worsening economic conditions, including rising fuel prices and transportation costs, are making it increasingly difficult for families to sustain their children’s education.
Aregbesola also linked the education challenges to broader systemic issues, including inadequate power supply and declining economic stability, which he said continue to affect learning environments and access to quality education.
He warned that the growing number of out-of-school children poses long-term risks, as many affected youths may become vulnerable to crime and social instability if urgent interventions are not implemented.
The former minister called for decisive action to address poverty and improve access to education, stressing that failure to act could undermine the country’s human capital development.
