The former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has raised concerns over the high number of out-of-school students who are unemployed.

He lamented that these children risk becoming recruits for Boko Haram and other extremist groups, describing the recent issue in the country as alarming.

At an event in Bauchi on Sunday, October 20, 2024, Obasanjo stated that about 10 percent of the nation’s population who should be receiving an education are not in school. He believes this situation creates opportunities for extremists.

"These children, not equipped to develop their innate abilities to serve themselves or their communities, are being prepared for recruitment into whatever form Boko Haram or banditry will take in the next 10 to 15 years," Obasanjo said.

Obasanjo asserted that there is a need to address the educational crisis in Nigeria, as it is crucial for the nation’s development.

The former president raised this concern while inaugurating projects executed by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.

He also called on leaders to prioritize education to mitigate the looming threat. Obasanjo said, “Let me emphasise what we want to do: human capacity building, education and human capacity building are very important.

“The World Bank says we have over 20 million children who should be in school but are not for a population of about 230 million.

“So, that is 10 percent of our population that should be in school that are not. Governor, your royal highnesses, brothers and sisters, that is recruitment for future Boko Haram; nobody needs to tell us that.

“Apart from the fact that 10 percent of our population is not being equipped to develop their innate ability and capacity to serve themselves, their family, their community, we are also preparing them to be recruited in 10 to 15 years’ time for whatever form of Boko Haram it will be at that time, whatever form of banditry it will be,” he added.