Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes in Nigeria
Nigeria: Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes was 15.20 million in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
15.20 million
Change on year
up 9.0%
World rank
7th
of 219 countries
All-time high
15.20 million
in 2023
All-time low
356,565
in 1970
Years of data
38
1970–2023
Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes in Nigeria, 1970–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in secondary education, both sexes in Nigeria is 15.20 million, measured in 2023. That is the highest value across all 38 years on record.
The figure is up 9.0% on the previous year and up 21.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in secondary education, both sexes in Nigeria peaked at 15.20 million in 2023 and was at its lowest, 356,565, in 1970.
Nigeria ranks 7th of 219 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 356,565 | — |
| 1971 | 395,575 | +10.9% |
| 1972 | 451,042 | +14.0% |
| 1973 | 516,658 | +14.5% |
| 1977 | 745,717 | +44.3% |
| 1978 | 904,931 | +21.4% |
| 1979 | 1.13 million | +25.0% |
| 1980 | 1.45 million | +28.3% |
| 1981 | 1.86 million | +28.5% |
| 1982 | 2.35 million | +25.8% |
| 1983 | 2.88 million | +22.8% |
| 1984 | 3.39 million | +17.8% |
| 1985 | 3.56 million | +5.0% |
| 1986 | 2.99 million | -16.1% |
| 1987 | 3.09 million | +3.4% |
| 1989 | 2.96 million | -4.3% |
| 1990 | 3.13 million | +5.7% |
| 1999 | 3.84 million | +23.0% |
| 2000 | 4.10 million | +6.8% |
| 2001 | 4.60 million | +12.1% |
| 2002 | 5.12 million | +11.4% |
| 2004 | 6.28 million | +22.5% |
| 2005 | 6.40 million | +1.9% |
| 2006 | 6.44 million | +0.6% |
| 2007 | 6.07 million | -5.7% |
| 2008 | 6.89 million | +13.5% |
| 2009 | 7.83 million | +13.6% |
| 2010 | 9.06 million | +15.7% |
| 2011 | 9.59 million | +5.9% |
| 2012 | 10.21 million | +6.5% |
| 2013 | 12.53 million | +22.7% |
| 2014 | 10.50 million | -16.3% |
| 2015 | 11.12 million | +5.9% |
| 2016 | 10.31 million | -7.2% |
| 2018 | 11.37 million | +10.3% |
| 2020 | 13.15 million | +15.6% |
| 2021 | 13.95 million | +6.0% |
| 2023 | 15.20 million | +9.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 643,085 | 356,565 | 1.13 million | 7 |
| 1980s | 2.73 million | 1.45 million | 3.56 million | 9 |
| 1990s | 3.48 million | 3.13 million | 3.84 million | 2 |
| 2000s | 5.97 million | 4.10 million | 7.83 million | 9 |
| 2010s | 10.59 million | 9.06 million | 12.53 million | 8 |
| 2020s | 14.10 million | 13.15 million | 15.20 million | 3 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More education data for Nigeria
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 15.20 million (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), annual growth 6.03 % change on previous year (2021)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 913,305 (2021)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth rate 10.89 % change on previous year (2021)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female (number), gaps filled 7.54 million (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female (number), annual growth rate 5.9 % change on previous year (2021)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), gaps filled 7.66 million (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), annual growth rate 6.16 % change on previous year (2021)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 2.31 million (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), annual -64.76 % change on previous year (2021)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in secondary education, both sexes in Nigeria?
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes in Nigeria was 15.20 million in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in secondary education, both sexes recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 15.20 million in 2023.
- What is the lowest enrolment in secondary education, both sexes recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 356,565 in 1970.
- How does Nigeria rank for enrolment in secondary education, both sexes?
- Nigeria ranks 7th out of 219 countries with data for 2023.
- Is enrolment in secondary education, both sexes rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 21.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release