House of Reps Pushes for Universal Access to Free Basic Education Amid Rising Out-of-School Children In Nigeria

 

The House of Representatives has thrown its weight behind a fresh call to enforce the right of every Nigerian child to free and compulsory basic education, citing national and international legal frameworks already in place to guarantee this fundamental right.

During plenary, the motion titled “Need to Enforce the Right of Every Child to Basic Education as Provided under the Universal Basic Education Scheme” was brought forward by Honourable Obi Aguocha, drawing attention to Nigeria’s obligation to uphold the educational rights of children under existing legal statutes.

Mr. Aguocha referenced key legislative instruments, including Article 17 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Section 15 of the Child’s Rights Act, and Section 2 of the Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act, 2004. These laws collectively mandate that Nigerian children receive basic education from primary through junior secondary school levels—fully funded by the State.

Citing these laws, the legislator expressed dissatisfaction with the current implementation of the Universal Basic Education Scheme, stressing the urgent need for the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to not only fulfill its supervisory obligations but also actively boost enrollment rates and educational outcomes nationwide.

Legally, the responsibility of education provision rests on both the federal and state governments. The Federal Government is obligated to allocate 2% of its Consolidated Revenue Fund annually to the Universal Basic Education Fund (UBEF). State governments, in turn, can access these funds provided they commit to counterpart funding. However, despite this mechanism, implementation has been marred by lapses.

Equally troubling is the legal implication for parents and guardians who, under existing laws, can be prosecuted for denying their wards access to education. Yet, enforcement of this provision remains virtually nonexistent, according to Aguocha’s motion.

Lawmakers are alarmed by the gravity of the crisis. Nigeria continues to hold one of the world’s highest numbers of out-of-school children. UNICEF’s data, as of September 2024, estimates that 18.3 million children of school age are currently out of school in the country—a staggering figure that underscores systemic failures in educational delivery and access.

The motion highlighted a range of factors contributing to the crisis. Poor funding, unbalanced resource allocation, inadequate teacher quality, and socio-cultural obstacles—including child labor, early marriage, and gender discrimination—remain persistent roadblocks. These barriers disproportionately affect the girl child and rural communities, further entrenching inequality.

A particularly sobering concern is the situation in Nigeria’s North East, where years of insurgency have led to the closure of schools, mass abductions of students, and widespread displacement. Armed groups such as Boko Haram continue to target educational institutions, thereby dismantling one of the few pathways to empowerment available to children in conflict-ridden areas.

Rather than remain silent in the face of these challenges, the House has mandated its Committee on Basic Education and Services to take concrete steps. The committee is instructed to summon the management of UBEC to present a detailed report on the current state of implementation of the Universal Basic Education Scheme. The House further empowered the committee to ensure full compliance with legal mandates.

This legislative move signals growing impatience among policymakers over the country’s lagging progress on education. It also reflects a broader recognition that without urgent and sustained intervention, the crisis of out-of-school children could spiral into a long-term socio-economic catastrophe.

Mr. Aguocha concluded that the time has come for the government to match legal provisions with visible, measurable action. “We cannot continue to watch millions of Nigerian children be denied the most basic of rights. This is not just a social issue—it is a national emergency,” he stated.

The debate and resolution mark a significant step in what could become a broader, more assertive national push toward educational equity and inclusion, particularly for vulnerable children across Nigeria.