Percentage of enrolment in primary education in private institutions in Nigeria
Nigeria: Percentage of enrolment in primary education in private institutions was 23.3% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Percentage of enrolment in primary education in private institutions in Nigeria, 1970–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
Nigeria recorded 23.3% for percentage of enrolment in primary education in private institutions in 2023.
The figure is up 21.8% on the previous year and up 56.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, percentage of enrolment in primary education in private institutions in Nigeria peaked at 44.0% in 1971 and was at its lowest, 5.0%, in 2006.
That places Nigeria 58th out of 212 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Percentage of enrolment in primary education in private institutions in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 37.7% | — |
| 1971 | 44.0% | +16.8% |
| 1972 | 30.1% | -31.7% |
| 2000 | 6.5% | -78.4% |
| 2006 | 5.0% | -23.0% |
| 2007 | 5.6% | +11.3% |
| 2008 | 5.1% | -7.7% |
| 2009 | 6.5% | +26.0% |
| 2010 | 8.0% | +23.1% |
| 2011 | 15.7% | +97.0% |
| 2012 | 14.9% | -5.4% |
| 2013 | 14.9% | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 13.5% | -9.3% |
| 2016 | 12.7% | -6.1% |
| 2018 | 19.7% | +56.0% |
| 2020 | 17.9% | -9.5% |
| 2021 | 19.1% | +7.0% |
| 2023 | 23.3% | +21.8% |
Nigeria compared with similar countries
- Nigeria's 23.3% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 13.7%, 1.7× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Nigeria's 23.3% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 16.7%, 1.4× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 37.3% | 30.1% | 44.0% | 3 |
| 2000s | 5.7% | 5.0% | 6.5% | 5 |
| 2010s | 14.2% | 8.0% | 19.7% | 7 |
| 2020s | 20.1% | 17.9% | 23.3% | 3 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
- 55 Bangladesh 23.9% compare
- 56 Saint Kitts and Nevis 23.7% compare
- 57 Chad 23.6% compare
- 59 Indonesia 22.9% compare
- 60 British Virgin Islands 22.5% compare
- 61 United States Virgin Islands 22.3% compare
More education data for Nigeria
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 912,245 (2021)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 1.08 million (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 1.24 million (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 15.20 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 33.42 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.18 % change on previous year (2021)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1466 units per person (2023)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is percentage of enrolment in primary education in private institutions in Nigeria?
- Percentage of enrolment in primary education in private institutions in Nigeria was 23.3% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest percentage of enrolment in primary education in private institutions recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 44.0% in 1971.
- What is the lowest percentage of enrolment in primary education in private institutions recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.0% in 2006.
- How does Nigeria rank for percentage of enrolment in primary education in private institutions?
- Nigeria ranks 58th out of 212 countries with data for 2023.
- Is percentage of enrolment in primary education in private institutions rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 56.7%. 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 Percentage of enrolment in primary education in private institutions, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release