The Business NG - September 27, 2024

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Education Gap in Nigeria's Labor Force

A recent report from the National Bureau of Statistics highlights a concerning gap in educational attainment among Nigeria's labor force ¹. The report shows that a staggering 86% of 88.9 million Nigerians in the labor force lack post-secondary education, with only 12.3 million people (14%) having received post-secondary education. This significant divide in education levels poses substantial challenges for Nigeria's competitiveness on the global stage and hinders economic growth and development.

*Breakdown of Education Levels in the Labor Force*

- 24.3 million people (81.6%) have no formal education, with 79% employed in informal sectors like agriculture and trading.
- 23.1 million individuals have primary education, with a labor force participation rate of 65.6% and an employment rate of 62.9%.
- 29.2 million people have secondary education, with a labor force participation rate of 77.7% and an employment rate of 72.5%.
- 11.7 million individuals have post-secondary education, with the highest labor force participation rate at 87.9%, but 9.4% remain unemployed.
- 606,020 individuals have postgraduate education, with the lowest unemployment rate at 3.8% and high employment rates in specialized fields.