Unlocking futures: Policy solutions to address the challenge of out-of-school children in Nigeria – spotlight on Oyo State

Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa and seventh largest in the world is projected to double its population by 2050 (UNDESA, 2019). With 20.1% percent of out-of-school children in Oyo State, Nigeria (Planning, Research, & Statistics Department, Ministry of Education, Oyo State 2022), the disproportionate number of children not enrolled in formal education systems serve as a tangible indicator of a deficiency in the accessibility of education within the state, thereby hindering the broader socio-economic advancement of the nation. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the current state of affairs; examine the causes, consequences, and existing efforts to address this issue. The paper also proposes policy alternatives to eradicate the issue of out-of-school children in Oyo state Nigeria which will in turn contribute to the improvement of the educational system in the region and the country. The proposed policy alternatives are a result of data collection, review of ongoing policies and existing relevant literature and consideration of various factors contributing to the challenge of out of school children issue.