Prolonged Disruption in Education Threatens National Development, Expert Warns
—An education expert has warned that continued disruption of schooling across parts of Nigeria, largely driven by insecurity, poses a serious threat to national development, human capital growth and social cohesion.
Speaking at a policy dialogue on education and security in Abuja, the expert said prolonged school closures and irregular academic calendars are steadily eroding public confidence in the education system while deepening inequality between regions and social groups.
According to the expert, communities affected by banditry, insurgency and communal violence have seen thousands of children remain out of school for extended periods, limiting their access to quality learning and future economic opportunities. The situation, he noted, risks creating a generation of young people without the skills required to drive sustainable development.
“When children are repeatedly forced out of school, the consequences go far beyond the classroom,” the expert said. “It weakens human capital, undermines productivity and entrenches poverty and inequality.”
He added that persistent disruption has also led some parents to lose trust in public schools, pushing those who can afford it toward private or alternative arrangements, while poorer households are left with few options.
The expert called for a coordinated response involving federal and state governments, security agencies and education stakeholders to safeguard schools and ensure continuity of learning, even in conflict-affected areas. Suggested measures include improved school security, community engagement, use of technology for remote learning and targeted support for displaced learners.
Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children globally, a figure that experts say could worsen if insecurity-driven disruptions are not urgently addressed.
The warning comes amid renewed calls for education to be treated as a critical component of national security and long-term development planning.
