This document provides information about education in Nigeria. It notes that Nigeria has a population of over 170 million people from 389 ethnic groups. Education follows a 9-3-4 system with 6 years of primary education, 3 years of junior secondary, and further optional education. While 10% of local budgets are dedicated to education, infrastructure, skills gaps, inadequate staffing, and low attendance pose challenges. School partnerships through Connecting Classrooms can provide cultural exchange, professional development for teachers, and international learning experiences for students.

1. Nigeria and Schools
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2. Nigeria - Facts
• Africa has 54 states. Nigeria is a culturally diverse country with
a population of 170.1 million in 36 states. There are 389 ethnic
groups with up to 500 languages the major ones being Yoruba,
Ibo and Hausa.
• 1 in every 4 Africans you see is Nigerian.
• There is a syndicate of fraudsters as in every country but
they form 0.1% of the population
• Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%.
• Majority of Muslims are based in the North, Christians in
the south however you find people from both religions
settled in all states
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3. More facts about Nigeria
• Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country, as well as the most populous black country
in the world. By 2050 Nigeria is expected to be the fourth most populous country in
the world, after India, China and the United States
• 70 percent of Nigeria’s population is below the age of 35
• Until 1960 Nigeria was a British colony. You can still find evidence of Nigeria’s colonial
heritage in street names in parts of Lagos
• Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is a Nigerian
• Nigeria has twice (2003 and 2011) been judged the happiest country in the world
• Nigeria’s economy is one of the top 10 fastest-growing in the world
• Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature, Wole
Soyinka, is a Nigerian
• 2 capitals: Lagos & Abuja
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4. Education in Nigeria - 9-3-4 system
Higher education
From 18yrs
optional
Secondary education/technical college
14 – 17 years
optional
Basic primary education
5 – 14 years
compulsory
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5. Education in Nigeria – 9-3-4 System
• 10% of the local budget is committed to Education. NGOS like the British Council,
UNICEF, DFID work with the Nigerian government and the stakeholders in the
education sector to improve the standards of education.
• 72,672 schools managed by Federal and State Ministries of Education (54,434 basic and
18,238 secondary)
• Schools are a mixture of government, private, faith based and community based schools
• All schools follow a national curriculum
• Free education at the first level: Six years of Primary Education; Three years of Junior
Secondary Education
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6. Challenges in Nigerian schools
•Infrastructure
•Skills Gap
•Inadequate man power
•Low attendance
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7. What’s it like in a Nigerian school?
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8. School Partnerships
Why?
•Cross cultural learning
•Global citizenship
•Professional Development for teachers
•Internationalising education
How do they work?
•Bilateral partnerships
•Trilateral partnerships
• If you have a bi-lateral partnership with an eligible country in Sub
Saharan Africa we would encourage you to include a new school from a
second African country through Connecting Classrooms.
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9. Partnership opportunities – amend to partnership incl. themes
Connecting Classrooms Partnership Funding
Partner with a school in Nigeria through Connecting Classrooms for a travel grant of £1,500
per school to visit their partner. Nigeria is an eligible country to participate in the funding so
start completing your application today. The deadline is 9 November.
Opportunity to apply for the ISA Award
The International School Award is awarded to schools who demonstrate their
commitment to developing global citizens by embedding internationalism
throughout the ethos and curriculum of the school. Visit our website for more
information on how you can apply.
Connecting Classrooms Professional Development Courses
We are offering a range of online and face to face professional development
courses through Connecting Classrooms. We’ll be launching our face to face
courses in January 2013. For now, you can enrol in a range of online courses
through our Professional Learning Portal.
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10. Impact stories from existing partnerships
“Connecting classroom is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I can now
boast of an improved output as a teacher.” Kola Oseh, Model secondary School
Maitama.
‘Having the opportunity to mix with African’s has developed children’s empathy
towards cultural differences. There’s also a better appreciation of the
opportunities they have for their own education.’’ Jane English, Principal, PCSC
Partner with Nigeria through Connecting Classrooms School Partnerships
- Apply by 9 November by visiting our website for more information
- Sign up our online professional development courses through the Connecting
Classrooms Professional Learning portal
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