Ghana, Nigeria Move to Tackle Out-of-School Children Through Education Partnership

Ghana and Nigeria have agreed to strengthen collaboration in addressing the out-of-school children crisis, with both countries committing to share proven strategies that help children return to classrooms.
For immediate release Ghana and Nigeria unite to tackle Out of School Children challenges.pdf None
The agreement followed an official Nigerian delegation’s visit to Ghana from February 2 to 6, 2026, where officials observed the country’s Complementary Basic Education (CBE) programme. The visit, facilitated by the United Kingdom through the British High Commissions in Accra and Abuja, was supported by the British Council and UK-funded education initiatives.
For immediate release Ghana and Nigeria unite to tackle Out of School Children challenges.pdf None
Ghana’s Complementary Education Agency (CEA) and Nigeria’s National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSCE) announced plans to sign a memorandum of understanding to formalise a knowledge-sharing partnership aimed at reintegrating children into formal schooling.
For immediate release Ghana and Nigeria unite to tackle Out of School Children challenges.pdf None
During the visit, Nigerian officials studied Ghana’s nine-month accelerated learning programme for children aged 8 to 16, which focuses on literacy and numeracy. About 90 per cent of participants reportedly transition back into formal education after completing the programme, at an estimated cost of 100 dollars per child.
For immediate release Ghana and Nigeria unite to tackle Out of School Children challenges.pdf None
Nigeria is currently facing one of the largest out-of-school populations globally, with UNICEF estimating about 18.3 million children not enrolled in school. The issue is a key focus of the country’s Education Sector Reform Initiative led by the Federal Ministry of Education.
For immediate release Ghana and Nigeria unite to tackle Out of School Children challenges.pdf None
The Nigerian delegation visited schools in Ghana’s Northern Region and held meetings with government officials, community leaders and education practitioners to study classroom practices and coordination between national and local authorities.
For immediate release Ghana and Nigeria unite to tackle Out of School Children challenges.pdf None
Officials from both countries emphasised the importance of community-driven approaches, accelerated learning curricula, small class sizes, child-centred teaching methods and the use of local languages in education programmes.
For immediate release Ghana and Nigeria unite to tackle Out of School Children challenges.pdf None
They also highlighted the need to integrate catch-up programmes into government systems and establish mechanisms for tracking children’s progress as they transition into mainstream schools.
For immediate release Ghana and Nigeria unite to tackle Out of School Children challenges.pdf None
Both sides expressed optimism that continued cooperation would help adapt successful models to their respective contexts and improve access to basic education for millions of children.
For immediate release Ghana and Nigeria unite to tackle Out of School Children challenges.