Nigeria’s school system has long faced challenges ranging from inadequate infrastructure and underfunded schools to outdated curricula and a shortage of qualified teachers. According to UNESCO, one in every five of the world’s out-of-school children is in Nigeria a staggering figure with deep-rooted implications for the country’s social and economic future. The World Bank reports that over 10 million Nigerian children are currently out of school, with many attending overcrowded classrooms, lacking basic learning materials, and missing out on quality instructional time.
These systemic issues also affect educational outcomes. A 2024 UNICEF report highlights that only 61% of primary school pupils complete their education, while less than 50% proceed to secondary school. The ripple effects contribute to youth unemployment, social inequality, and stunted national progress.
Revamping the Nigerian school system is not just necessary but urgent. Schools must become environments where every child can access quality learning, practice leadership, and cultivate values that drive lifelong growth. Modernization of the curriculum, improved teacher training, digital literacy integration, and access to adequate infrastructure are essential steps.
This is precisely where the Save Our Education Initiative (SOEI) steps in. Our efforts at SOEI center around bridging these gaps by:
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Providing access to quality educational materials: From donating hundreds of books like “Preparing for School” to local libraries, to curating seminars that stimulate reading and personal growth.
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Championing leadership and values education: Our workshops empower students with leadership skills, instilling the positive values often missing in the conventional curriculum.
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Partnering with communities and schools: SOEI’s volunteer-powered model means our changemakers directly engage schools and local leaders, delivering targeted interventions to address real needs.
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Advocating for comprehensive reform: SOEI actively collaborates with educational stakeholders to promote holistic strategies for school improvement and inclusion.
As UNESCO and UNICEF emphasize, schools must be more than places to recite facts they should be engines of personal and societal transformation. SOEI believes true change begins in the mind. By inspiring students to “read, grow, and lead,” we lay the foundation for a brighter, more equitable Nigeria and Africa.
Revamping the school system is a collective call to action. At SOEI, we invite you to join our mission to create world-class, inclusive schools that empower every child with the tools to succeed because education is the seed of tomorrow’s leaders.