By Ghazali Ibrahim
Nigeria’s education sector is witnessing a significant structural shift as new data shows that non-state (private) schools are growing at a much faster rate than government-owned institutions, particularly at the primary and junior secondary levels.
According to recently released figures, the number of private primary schools in the country surged by 31.56 per cent between 2017 and 2022, a sharp contrast to the 3.3 per cent growth recorded by public primary schools during the same period.
The trend continues at the Junior Secondary School (JSS) level, where non-state schools expanded by 35.06 per cent, while state-run schools grew by just 6.8 per cent between 2017 and 2022.
Education analysts say the figures reflect growing demand for alternatives to public schooling, often driven by concerns over quality, overcrowding, and inadequate infrastructure in public schools.
“This data underscores the growing reliance on private schools by Nigerian families, especially in urban areas,” said a Lagos-based education consultant, adding that “the widening gap in growth rates also raises questions about public sector investment in basic education.”
Observers are now calling on policymakers to address the disparities and ensure that public education keeps pace with demand, particularly as Nigeria continues to grapple with high rates of out-of-school children and challenges in educational access across regions.
