country profile

Nigeria

Sub-Saharan AfricaLower middle income232.68M population

Last updated May 3, 2026

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Fragile/Conflict-Affected Country: This country is classified as experiencing conflict.

Composite GEFRI Score

Critically unprepared

Nigeria shows critically low readiness to meet the challenges and opportunities of education in a rapidly changing world (12th percentile worldwide). Core capabilities are weak across most dimensions, and essential systems face significant constraints. Higher scores indicate a system that is better prepared to anticipate and shape the future of learning.

24.64Composite score
Global percentile
12th
Global rank
#158
Regional rank
#29
Viewing data for
Infrastructure
35.38
19th percentileGlobal avg. 54.77
Human Capital
24.67
9th percentileGlobal avg. 47.01
Innovation
31.21
17th percentileGlobal avg. 45.21
Governance
31.93
24th percentileGlobal avg. 47.75
Access & Parity
0.00
8th percentileGlobal avg. 49.65

Country profile

Nigeria trails global peers in Infrastructure (35, 19th percentile), Governance (32, 24th percentile), Innovation (31, 17th percentile), Human Capital (25, 9th percentile), GEFRI Composite (25, 12th percentile), and School Access and Gender Parity (0, 8th percentile). A coordinated reform effort is needed to strengthen education futures readiness.

Uneven scores across dimensions highlight areas that need targeted coordination. Limited electricity or internet coverage still constrains classrooms, preventing large-scale digital instruction. Literacy or tertiary enrollment gaps thin the talent pipeline and limit the country’s capacity to develop future-ready skills.

Sparse R&D investment and a small research workforce slow experimentation and delay new ideas from reaching learners. Policy execution and regulatory capacity remain weak, leaving reforms fragmented and hard to sustain. Gender parity leans toward boys in secondary pathways, signalling persistent barriers for girls.

Note: Several indicators use imputed values. Policymakers and planners should validate results further before committing to major initiatives.

Key insights

  • Falls below many peers at the 12th percentile.
  • Places 158th worldwide.
  • Holds a regional position of 29th within Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Scores range from Infrastructure (35.4) to Access & Parity (0.0), reflecting variation across dimensions.
  • Trails regional peers most clearly in Access & Parity.

Regional peers: Sub-Saharan Africa

Composite GEFRI Score

Global rankRegional rankCountryScore
681South Africa57.33
742Mauritius56.48
SeychellesMicrostate55.12
803Botswana54.11
1024Ghana47.72
1085Namibia44.24
1136Cabo Verde40.09
1177Eswatini38.07
1248Senegal35.40
1259Equatorial Guinea35.01
12610Gabon34.48
12911Rwanda33.75
13312Kenya33.02
13413Gambia, The32.24
13514Cote d'Ivoire32.18
Sao Tome and PrincipeFCSMicrostate31.75
14015Lesotho31.04
14116Benin29.70
14217ZimbabweFCS29.57
14418Togo29.28
14519Tanzania29.23
14620CameroonFCS28.46
14721Zambia27.96
14822Mauritania27.82
15023Angola26.39
15224ComorosFCS25.64
15325Congo, Rep.FCS25.59
15526MozambiqueFCS25.26
15627EthiopiaFCS25.24
15728Uganda24.82
15829NigeriaFCS24.64
15930Sierra Leone24.58
16031Madagascar24.32
16132Burkina FasoFCS23.86
16233MaliFCS23.71
16334Malawi23.40
16435Guinea22.78
16636Liberia22.50
16737NigerFCS20.78
16838SudanFCS20.28
16939Guinea-BissauFCS19.28
17645Somalia, Fed. Rep.FCS19.26
17141BurundiFCS18.78
17242EritreaFCS18.78
17443Congo, Dem. Rep.FCS17.87
17544ChadFCS16.32
17645SomaliaFCS15.80
17746South SudanFCS15.44
17847Central African RepublicFCS14.57