The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that millions of Nigerian children risk being left behind in an increasingly digital world unless urgent action is taken to address the country’s learning crisis and expand access to quality education.
The warning came as education stakeholders gathered in Osun State for a two-day media dialogue focused on digital learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and skills development as tools for tackling the growing challenge of out-of-school children.
Speaking virtually at the event organised by the Osun State Ministry of Education in collaboration with UNICEF, the organisation’s Chief of Field Office for South-West Nigeria, Celine Lafoucriere, said only one in four Nigerian children can read proficiently and perform basic mathematics by the age of 14.
She described the situation as a major threat to the future of millions of children, particularly girls, noting that more than 10 million children remain completely excluded from formal education.
“These are children who are growing up without the skills they need to get a job, take care of their families, support themselves and contribute meaningfully to the economy around them,” Lafoucriere said.
She warned that rapid advances in technology and artificial intelligence could further widen inequalities between children who have access to quality education and those who do not.
According to her, children who lack foundational literacy and numeracy skills face the risk of being excluded from opportunities in a future increasingly shaped by digital technologies.
Lafoucriere called on journalists to sustain public attention on the out-of-school children crisis, stressing that consistent media coverage can influence policymakers and drive meaningful action.
“When journalists keep coming back to an important issue like this week after week, people start paying attention. Policymakers listen, politicians listen and stakeholders listen. That is how things change. A story that does not go away is a story that gets acted upon,” she said.
The UNICEF official added that participants at the dialogue would learn about interventions already supporting vulnerable children and hear directly from beneficiaries whose lives have been transformed through access to education.
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Earlier, the Osun State Government advocated greater deployment of digital technology and artificial intelligence to improve access to learning and support children currently outside the formal education system.
Commissioner for Education Adedipo Eluwole, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Murtala Adekilekun Jimoh, said innovative digital solutions have the potential to bridge educational gaps and expand learning opportunities for marginalised children.
He noted that millions of children across the world continue to face barriers to education arising from poverty, geography and insecurity, limiting their chances of achieving their full potential.
According to him, digital learning platforms are already transforming education delivery by making learning more accessible, flexible, inclusive and engaging.
“Artificial intelligence, when responsibly deployed, can personalize learning experiences, identify learning gaps, support teachers, improve educational planning and provide innovative solutions that can help reach children who are currently outside the formal education system,” he said.
Jimoh described the media dialogue as timely, saying it provides an opportunity to explore practical ways of integrating out-of-school children into learning environments through technology-driven interventions and skills acquisition programmes.
He emphasized that education in the modern era must equip children not only with academic knowledge but also with digital, entrepreneurial and life skills needed for future employment and self-reliance.
The permanent secretary also highlighted the role of the media in creating awareness, advocating policy reforms and promoting success stories that can encourage wider support for education initiatives.
He urged stakeholders to examine both the opportunities and challenges associated with digital learning and AI, particularly issues relating to digital access, literacy, online child protection and sustainable skills development programmes.
Jimoh expressed confidence that recommendations emerging from the dialogue would strengthen collaboration among government agencies, development partners and other stakeholders working to achieve inclusive and equitable quality education.
He commended UNICEF for its continued support to the education sector through initiatives such as the Nigeria Learning Passport and Passport to Earning platforms, which he said have helped many children in Osun, particularly those unable to attend school due to financial and other constraints.
Reaffirming the commitment of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration to educational development, Jimoh cited ongoing investments in school infrastructure, instructional materials, teacher training and improved learning environments across the state.
“Together, we can harness the power of digital innovation, artificial intelligence and skills development to create opportunities for every child, regardless of circumstance, and build a future where no child is excluded from learning,” he said.
Lafoucriere also commended the Osun State Ministry of Education and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) for their partnership with UNICEF and efforts aimed at improving educational access and outcomes for children across the state.
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