In 2020, some ** percent of children in Nigeria completed the last grade of elementary school, with **** percent of males and **** percent of females. In the following educational levels, the disparity between male students and female students became larger, reaching a gap of **** and **** percentage points in the completion rates of middle school and high school, respectively.

The completion rate for upper secondary school in Nigeria was higher among male students. In 2020, ** percent of males finished school, whereas this figure reached ** percent among female students. Between 2018 and 2020, the completion rate increased among both male and female upper secondary students.

Education in Nigeria is compulsory between the ages of *** and 15 years. The official entrance age to upper secondary education in Nigeria is 15 years and it has a duration of three years. Higher education (tertiary or post-secondary education) begins at the age of **.

Time series data for the statistic School age population, upper secondary education, both sexes (number) and country Nigeria. Indicator Definition:Population of the age-group theoretically corresponding to upper secondary education as indicated by theoretical entrance age and duration.The indicator "School age population, upper secondary education, both sexes (number)" stands at 13.21 Million as of 12/31/2020, the highest value at least since 12/31/1971, the period currently displayed. Regarding the One-Year-Change of the series, the current value constitutes an increase of 3.31 percent compared to the value the year prior.The 1 year change in percent is 3.31.The 3 year change in percent is 10.44.The 5 year change in percent is 17.79.The 10 year change in percent is 35.43.The Serie's long term average value is 6.76 Million. It's latest available value, on 12/31/2020, is 95.40 percent higher, compared to it's long term average value.The Serie's change in percent from it's minimum value, on 12/31/1970, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2020, is +520.37%.The Serie's change in percent from it's maximum value, on 12/31/2020, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2020, is 0.0%.

Time series data for the statistic Population of the official entrance age to secondary general education, male (number) and country Nigeria. Indicator Definition:Male population of the age-group theoretically corresponding to secondary general education as indicated by theoretical entrance age and duration.The indicator "Population of the official entrance age to secondary general education, male (number)" stands at 2.56 Million as of 12/31/2020, the highest value at least since 12/31/1971, the period currently displayed. Regarding the One-Year-Change of the series, the current value constitutes an increase of 2.83 percent compared to the value the year prior.The 1 year change in percent is 2.83.The 3 year change in percent is 8.84.The 5 year change in percent is 15.73.The 10 year change in percent is 36.17.The Serie's long term average value is 1.39 Million. It's latest available value, on 12/31/2020, is 83.64 percent higher, compared to it's long term average value.The Serie's change in percent from it's minimum value, on 12/31/1970, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2020, is +301.93%.The Serie's change in percent from it's maximum value, on 12/31/2020, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2020, is 0.0%.

Nigeria Federal Govt Expenditure: Annual: Education: Capital data was reported at 48.800 NGN bn in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 33.800 NGN bn for 2016. Nigeria Federal Govt Expenditure: Annual: Education: Capital data is updated yearly, averaging 33.250 NGN bn from Dec 1998 (Median) to 2017, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 87.900 NGN bn in 2010 and a record low of 8.500 NGN bn in 1999. Nigeria Federal Govt Expenditure: Annual: Education: Capital data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bank of Nigeria. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.F001: Government Revenue and Expenditure.

As of 2023, Nigeria's labor force consisted of about ** million people. Around ** million people concluded secondary school, representing the most numerous group. Individuals who finished primary school added up to some **** million. In 2020, the lowest unemployment rate in Nigeria was recorded among individuals who achieved vocational or commercial training. Among people with higher education, unemployment figures was particularly high.

Time series data for the statistic School age population, lower secondary education, female (number) and country Nigeria. Indicator Definition:Female population of the age-group theoretically corresponding to lower secondary education as indicated by theoretical entrance age and duration.The indicator "School age population, lower secondary education, female (number)" stands at 7.15 Million as of 12/31/2020, the highest value at least since 12/31/1971, the period currently displayed. Regarding the One-Year-Change of the series, the current value constitutes an increase of 2.83 percent compared to the value the year prior.The 1 year change in percent is 2.83.The 3 year change in percent is 9.00.The 5 year change in percent is 16.08.The 10 year change in percent is 35.51.The Serie's long term average value is 4.36 Million. It's latest available value, on 12/31/2020, is 63.99 percent higher, compared to it's long term average value.The Serie's change in percent from it's minimum value, on 12/31/1986, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2020, is +148.46%.The Serie's change in percent from it's maximum value, on 12/31/2020, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2020, is 0.0%.

Time series data for the statistic School age population, primary education, male (number) and country Nigeria. Indicator Definition:Male population of the age-group theoretically corresponding to primary education as indicated by theoretical entrance age and duration.The indicator "School age population, primary education, male (number)" stands at 17.16 Million as of 12/31/2020, the highest value at least since 12/31/1971, the period currently displayed. Regarding the One-Year-Change of the series, the current value constitutes an increase of 2.60 percent compared to the value the year prior.The 1 year change in percent is 2.60.The 3 year change in percent is 8.33.The 5 year change in percent is 14.25.The 10 year change in percent is 32.99.The Serie's long term average value is 9.42 Million. It's latest available value, on 12/31/2020, is 82.17 percent higher, compared to it's long term average value.The Serie's change in percent from it's minimum value, on 12/31/1970, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2020, is +296.13%.The Serie's change in percent from it's maximum value, on 12/31/2020, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2020, is 0.0%.

There were over 270 universities in Nigeria as of 2024, two of which were founded within the first half of that year. Of the total count, 149 were private while state and federal universities added up to 63 and 62, respectively. Some of Nigeria's oldest universities are the University of Ibadan, the University of Nigeria, the Obafemi Awolowo University, and the University of Lagos. These four institutions were founded between the end of the 1940s and the beginning of the 1960s. Nigeria’s biggest institutes As of 2019, the National Open University of Nigeria was the largest university in Nigeria by number of students. The number of all students enrolled in this institution reached 565,000 in the said year. The National Open University of Nigeria is one of the largest open and distance learning institutes in Africa. It is based in Abuja but has several campuses across Nigeria. What Nigerians study the most There were over 1.8 million full-time undergraduate university students in Nigeria as of 2019. Sciences and social sciences were the most common disciplines chosen by Nigerian students. Administration and management followed as the third most popular faculty. Among master and diploma students, however, administration and management had the largest number of students.

Nigeria NG: Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Primary data was reported at 37.553 % in 2010. This records a decrease from the previous number of 46.090 % for 2007. Nigeria NG: Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Primary data is updated yearly, averaging 37.203 % from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2010, with 35 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 46.090 % in 2007 and a record low of 32.226 % in 1978. Nigeria NG: Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Primary data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.World Bank.WDI: Education Statistics. Primary school pupil-teacher ratio is the average number of pupils per teacher in primary school.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

As of 2020, around ** percent of the young population in Nigeria had secondary education as their highest educational level. Moreover, some ** percent had achieved the post-secondary level of education, while ** percent had completed primary education.

In the academic year 2018/2019, there were *** million undergraduate students in Nigerian universities. About *** thousand were female students, which accounted for around ** percent of all students enrolled in undergraduate programs at Nigerian universities.

In the 2018/2019 school year, 8.6 million children in Nigeria were enrolled in pre-primary education or Early Childhood Care and Development Education (ECCDE). The ECCDE is offered by both private and public entities. In primary schools, the number of pupils added up to over 28 million as of the 2017/2018 academic year. Moreover, institutions designed for primary education amounted to approximately 116.9 thousand, most of which were concentrated in Lagos. Although primary education is free and compulsory in Nigeria, a section of the population had never attended school as of 2020.

Secondary school education

Nigerian students attend junior and senior secondary schools after obtaining primary education. However, instead of secondary school, individuals can complete secondary vocational and post-secondary vocational training. In the 2018/2019 academic year, junior secondary school enrollees reached an approximate total of 7.4 million, the majority of which were boys. In the same year, students receiving senior secondary education amounted to some 5.2 million individuals.

Tertiary education

There were 170 universities in Nigeria as of 2021, which comprised federal, state and private establishments. In 2019, more than 1.8 million undergraduate students were counted in the country. On the other hand, the number of master students reached around 121.7 thousand, the majority of which were men. Moreover, individuals pursuing a Master of Philosophy degree (PhD) in the country totaled around 17.5 thousand.

In the academic year 2018/2019, Nigerian universities counted 1.8 million undergraduate students and 242 thousand postgraduate students. Among master students, women accounted for 38 percent of the total, while the female percentage among bachelor students was 44 percent.

Nigeria's largest university is the National Open University of Nigeria, which had over half million students as of 2019.

In 2019, there were over 1.8 million full-time undergraduate university students in Nigeria. Sciences and social sciences counted the highest number of students. There were some considerable differences in the enrollment of female and male students. In the faculties of engineering and technology, and computing, male students represented the vast majority.

As of January 2021, the University of Ibadan was the leading University in Nigeria. It was founded in 1948 and is the oldest university in the Country. Covenant University Ota, founded in 2002 in Ogun, followed in the ranking. Furthermore, there were *** universities in Nigeria as of 2020, of which ** are private institutions. This ranking is mainly based on webometrics, which is the web visibility of the academic institutions.

In Nigeria, the out-of-school rate was considered high for all educational levels in 2018. For children in primary school age, this share amounted to 28 percent. In upper secondary education, the out-of-school rate was even steeper, at nearly 41 percent.

The gross enrollment ratio in upper secondary school in Nigeria dropped over the past years. In 2018, 38.7 percent of population in upper secondary education age was enrolled.

Education in Nigeria is compulsory between the ages of six and 15 years. The official entrance age to upper secondary education in Nigeria is 15 years and it has a duration of three years. Higher education (tertiary or post-secondary education) begins at the age of 18.

According to a study from 2020, over 70 percent of the poorest children living in Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Guinea dis not attend school. Overall, Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest illiteracy rate in the world. Countries in East and West Africa suffer from high levels of poverty, including health, malnutrition, lack of clean water and electricity, poor education, and other similar aspects.

In 2024, the estimated youth unemployment rate in Nigeria was at almost 5.05 percent. According to the source, the data are estimates from the International Labour Organization, an agency of the United Nations developing policies to set labor standards. Employment in Nigeria The youth unemployment rate refers to the percentage of the unemployed in the age group of 15 to 24 years as compared to the total labor force. Youth unemployment rates are often higher than overall unemployment rates, which is true in Nigeria as well: the general rate of unemployment was approximately six percent in 2018. One reason for this contrast is that many of the youth under age 24 are studying full-time and are unavailable for work due to this. Education in Nigeria Nigeria’s population has a large percentage of young inhabitants, and there is a high demand for educational opportunities for its young populace. After severe cuts in governmental aid following a nationwide recession in 2016, Nigeria’s underfunded higher education system became the focus of ongoing student protests and strikes. Other families have taken a different approach: Nigeria is the top country of origin for international students from the continent of Africa. For example, Nigeria sent over 12,600 students to the U.S. in 2017/18, the most of any African country.