Education in Northern vs Southern Nigeria: The Learning Divide in 2026

Published: June 2026 | Data Source: NigeriaPolls Education Quality Tracker (n=1,620, ±2.5% MoE)

The Scale of the Divide

Nigeria education system is a story of two regions. Our Education Quality Tracker survey of 1,620 Nigerians across all 36 states (±2.5% margin of error, 95% confidence level) confirms what WAEC data has shown for years: a child born in the South is significantly more likely to complete secondary school and achieve strong exam results than a child born in the North.

Secondary School Completion

Source: NigeriaPolls Education Quality Tracker (n=1,620), cross-referenced with NBS education data.

WAEC Performance 2025

The disparity is starkest in exam outcomes. In 2025, the states with the highest WAEC credit pass rates (5 credits including Maths and English) were:

1. Anambra (South-East) — 82.3%
2. Lagos (South-West) — 79.1%
3. Abia (South-East) — 76.8%
4. Ondo (South-West) — 74.2%
5. Edo (South-South) — 72.5%

The lowest performing states:

1. Zamfara (North-West) — 12.7%
2. Yobe (North-East) — 14.1%
3. Kebbi (North-West) — 16.8%
4. Sokoto (North-West) — 18.2%
5. Jigawa (North-West) — 19.5%

The gap between Anambra (highest) and Zamfara (lowest) is 69.6 percentage points.

What Drives the Gap?

Our survey asked respondents to identify the biggest barriers to education in their area:

Northern States

1. Poverty / inability to afford school fees — 64% of respondents
2. Lack of secondary schools within commuting distance — 47%
3. Early marriage / cultural factors — 41%
4. Security concerns preventing school attendance — 38%
5. Teacher shortages — 33%

Southern States

1. Cost of private tutoring and extra lessons — 52%
2. Overcrowded classrooms — 44%
3. Inadequate school infrastructure — 36%
4. Traffic / commute time to school — 29%
5. Teacher quality concerns — 27%

The Path Forward

Bridging this divide requires targeted investment. Northern states need more secondary schools within rural communities and programs addressing out-of-school children. Southern states need infrastructure upgrades and teacher quality improvements. Without deliberate policy intervention, the education gap will continue to widen, perpetuating economic inequality across generations.

Methodology: Data drawn from the NigeriaPolls Education Quality Tracker survey fielded 2025 (n=1,620, ±2.5% MoE, 95% CL). WAEC performance data sourced from the West African Examinations Council 2025 statistical reports. Full data available at NigeriaPolls Research.