Education takes a front seat in the development and progress of any nation, and Nigeria is no exception. If you’ve ever wondered where each Nigerian state stands regarding education, this article has answers for you. This ranking of the top 25 most educated states in Nigeria is derived from a combination of literacy rates, out-of-school rates, dropout rates, and the number of tertiary institutions in each state. The data used for this analysis is sourced from the National Bureau of Statistics and the UNICEF Education Fact Sheet 2023.
Imo State
Imo State tops the list as the most educated state in Nigeria. With a literacy rate of 96.43%, the state boasts one of the lowest out-of-school rates in the country.
Literacy Rate: 96.43%
Number of tertiary institutions: 7
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 21%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary): 8%
Lagos State
Known as the commercial hub of Nigeria, the state follows closely with a literacy rate of 96.30%. Despite its high dropout and out-of-school rates, Lagos is home to numerous tertiary institutions.
Literacy rate: 96.30%
Number of tertiary institutions: 69
Dropout Rate (upper secondary): 27%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary): 23%
Ekiti State
Ekiti State, often referred to as the “Fountain of Knowledge,” ranks third with a literacy rate of 95.79%. The state has a commendable out-of-school rate and is known for its commitment to education.
Literacy rate: 95.79%
Number of tertiary institutions: 5
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 25%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary): 9%
Rivers State
Rivers State, with its literacy rate of 95.76%, has one of the highest dropout rates among the top states.
Literacy rate: 95.76%
Number of tertiary institutions: 6
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 32%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary): 20%
Abia State
Abia State, known for its focus on technical and vocational education, ranks fifth. The state has a strong kick for education, reflected in its high literacy rate.
Literacy rate: 94.24%
Number of tertiary institutions: 9
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 26%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary): 20%
Anambra State
Anambra State is a significant player in Nigeria’s educational sector, with a literacy rate of 92.11% and a substantial number of tertiary institutions.
Literacy rate: 92.11%
Number of tertiary institutions: 29
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 28%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary): 19%
Osun State
Osun State is known for its strong academic culture and ranks seventh with a literacy rate of 90.57%.
Literacy rate: 90.57%
Number of tertiary institutions: 47
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 38%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary): 24%
Edo State
Edo State, with a literacy rate of 90.53%, is home to some of Nigeria’s prestigious universities and educational institutions, making it a key state in the nation’s educational landscape.
Literacy rate: 90.53%
Number of tertiary institutions: 21
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 24%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary): 21%
Enugu State
Enugu State ranks ninth, with a literacy rate of 89.46% and a solid number of tertiary institutions that contribute to its educational standing.
Literacy rate: 89.46%
Number of tertiary institutions: 33
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 30%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary): 20%
Delta State
Delta State rounds out the top ten, with a literacy rate of 87.43% and a significant number of educational institutions that drive its academic achievements.
Literacy rate: 87.43%
Number of tertiary institutions: 33
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 26%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary): 26%
Bayelsa State
Bayelsa State, despite its high dropout rate, ranks 11th among the most educated states in Nigeria.
Literacy rate: 86.83%
Number of tertiary institutions: 15
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 39%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary): 18%
Kogi State
Kogi State, with a literacy rate of 83.93%, is home to several reputable educational institutions, making it a key player in the Nigerian educational landscape.
Literacy rate: 83.93%
Number of tertiary institutions: 20
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 30%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary): 15%
Ogun State
Ogun State is known for its high number of tertiary institutions, contributing to its literacy rate of 81.76%.
Literacy rate: 81.76%
Number of tertiary Institutions: 50
Dropout rate (Upper Secondary): 20%
Out-of-school rate (Upper Secondary): 21%
Ondo State
With a literacy rate of 81.15%, Ondo State has a strong educational foundation, supported by its tertiary institutions.
Literacy rate: 81.15%
Number of tertiary institutions: 24
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 32%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary): 20%
Oyo State
Oyo State, known for its academic heritage, ranks 15th with a literacy rate of 80.25%.
Literacy rate: 80.25%
Number of tertiary institutions: 47
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 24%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary):18%
Cross River State
Cross River State maintains a focus on education, with a literacy rate of 80.03% and several educational institutions.
Literacy rate: 80.03%
Number of tertiary institutions: 16
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 20%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary): 21%
Akwa Ibom State
With a literacy rate of 78.84%, Akwa Ibom State continues to invest in education, despite its high dropout rate.
Literacy rate: 78.84%
Number of tertiary institutions: 32
Dropout rate (upper Secondary): 32%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary): 21%
Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
The FCT, with a literacy rate of 78.84%, is home to several prestigious educational institutions, making it a key educational hub in Nigeria.
Literacy rate: 78.84%
Number of tertiary institutions: 34
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 25%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary): 20%
Ebonyi State
Ebonyi State, with its literacy rate of 77.76%, ranks 19th among the most educated states in Nigeria.
Literacy rate: 77.76%
Number of tertiary institutions: 23
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 15%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary): 7%
Benue State
Benue State, known for its educational institutions, ranks 20th with a literacy rate of 73.74%.
Literacy rate: 73.74%
Number of tertiary institutions: 30
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 22%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary): 18%
Taraba State
Taraba State ranks among the more educated states in northern Nigeria, with a literacy rate of 72.00%. However, the state has an out-of-school rate of 33%, indicating that a large portion of its student population isn’t completing secondary education.
Literacy rate: 72.00%
Number of tertiary institutions: 12
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 16%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary):33%
Kwara State
Kwara State has a literacy rate of 69.66%, but its high dropout and out-of-school rates indicate that many children do not complete their education.
Literacy rate: 69.66%
Number of tertiary institutions: 31
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 33%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary): 37%
Plateau State
Plateau State has a literacy rate of 63.65%. Both its dropout and out-of-school rates are aligned at 28%.
Literacy rate: 63.65%
Number of tertiary institutions: 25
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 28%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary): 28%
Nasarawa State
Nasarawa State’s literacy rate stands at 59.21%. The state’s educational system struggles with a significant out-of-school rate.
Literacy rate: 59.21%
Number of tertiary institutions: 21
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 24%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary):31%
Kano State
Kano State, despite being one of Nigeria’s most populous states, has a low literacy rate of 38.06%. The state also faces significant educational challenges, with a high dropout and out-of-school rate.
Literacy rate: 38.06%
Number of tertiary institutions: 41
Dropout rate (upper secondary): 29%
Out-of-school rate (upper secondary): 37%
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