Enabling Environments for Education: Resourcing Requirements for Inclusive Non-State Schooling in Nigeria

The provision of non-state education has been on the rise in Nigeria. National education statistics from 2010 report that across the country one in four children is enrolled in some form of independent school. In Lagos, one... [ view full abstract ]

The provision of non-state education has been on the rise in Nigeria. National education statistics from 2010 report that across the country one in four children is enrolled in some form of independent school. In Lagos, one the fastest growing cities in Africa, a 2010/2011 census revealed the existence of over 12,000 private schools educating 57 percent of primary-aged children, from all socio-economic backgrounds.

With the sector expanding at around 1,000 schools per year, resource requirements for education in Lagos need to take adequate consideration of its prolific non-state provision. This paper therefore investigates the resourcing needs in Lagos, in particular around regulation practices, access to finance and school improvement services. It draws on a mixed methods study conducted in 2014 which examined the operations of 55 schools in Lagos across a range of fee levels. In particular, the research explored schools’ management practices, staff development and use of financial and non-financial services. The findings highlight an estimated market demand for finance in the region of USD 2.5 billion and emphasise government’s growing role as an enabler as well as a provider of education.

The paper concludes with reference to the Developing Effective Private Education Nigeria programme, a DFID-funded initiative, which since 2013 has been using a market-based approach to facilitate an enabling environment for independent schools and improved learning outcomes, particularly for children from low-income households. Activities aim to unblock constraints around regulation, information and school development, while informing education policies in Lagos and other similar contexts.