Education

Home to the largest and one of the youngest and fastest-growing populations in Africa, Nigeria’s youthful demographic profile could prove either a future economic asset or a significant social burden. Given that 63% of the country’s 170m people are under the age of 24, much will depend on the progress that can be made to improve the quality and capacity of its education system. Major improvements will be essential if the country is to fulfil its economic potential in the medium and long term. The government has been lauded for raising education spending, but observers still see funding as insufficient. Nigeria’s rapid population growth should translate into expanding demand for education for years to come. The growth of technical and vocational institutes will go a long way towards providing an alternative to universities short on spaces, and is helping to match the market with technical skills needed.