“Miles To Learn, Nowhere To Sit: Inside The Daily Struggle Of Abuja’s Forgotten Students”

Children in Peril: Poor Infrastructure and Long Distances Cripple Schooling in Abuja’s Dagiri Community

In communities like Dagiri on the outskirts of Abuja, the pursuit of basic education has become a daunting journey marked by crumbling infrastructure, hazardous commutes, and chronic underfunding — a reality far removed from global educational standards.

At the Local Education Authority (LEA) Primary School in Dagiri, pupils sit on worn wooden chairs under a classroom ceiling that dangles dangerously, with parts already collapsed.

The school lacks toilets, forcing students to defecate behind classroom blocks, a health hazard that underscores the infrastructural decay.

During break time, pupils kick sand in place of a functional playground, as there is no designated space or equipment for recreation.

Even more alarming, the school has no sickbay, no library, and a poorly equipped computer laboratory.

According to iReporter Online, these missing facilities severely hinder learning and expose pupils to health and safety risks. The situation reflects a larger pattern of neglect affecting hundreds of schools across Nigeria.

Despite being in the Federal Capital Territory, the school faces the same structural deficiencies found in remote rural areas. The head teacher, Abubakar Sadiq, revealed that an abandoned school building, left incomplete for four years, continues to decay — despite formal reports, photos, and inspections by authorities, nothing has been done to revive the project, leaving students overcrowded and underserved.

In the computer lab, only a few outdated systems remain, most unable to hold a charge.

According to iReporter Online, pupils are forced to take turns using the few functional devices, reducing access to digital learning — a key requirement for 21st-century education, the school currently serves over 1,800 pupils, yet it operates without the minimum infrastructure required for safe, inclusive, and effective education.

Experts argue that inadequate infrastructure leads not only to poor academic outcomes but also long-term psychological harm. Education advocate Hassan Soweto noted that a dilapidated learning environment discourages attendance and damages students’ perception of education.

A recent World Bank report highlighted that only 27% of Nigerian children demonstrate basic reading skills, with underinvestment and mismanagement of educational funds worsening access, particularly in underprivileged communities like Dagiri.

Further compounding the problem is the sheer distance many students must walk to attend school. Ramatu Saidu, a junior secondary school student in Gwagwalada, described nearly collapsing after trekking 7km home due to a lack of transport fare. Suffering from sickle cell anaemia, she now relies on daily transport support from her family.

Her sister Fatima explained that without ₦700–₦800 for transport, students are forced to walk across dangerous expressways and isolated paths — exposing them to physical and emotional strain.

The route from Dagiri to the nearest secondary schools involves crossing a busy highway often used by speeding trailers.

Despite the existence of a pedestrian bridge, many students risk their lives crossing directly on the road.

According to iReporter Online, children in rural and peri-urban areas face increased dropout rates when schools are distant or unsafe to reach, especially girls and those with disabilities.

In a region where over 100 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, the cost of education — from hidden levies to transport — further entrenches inequality.

Many parents must choose between feeding their families and enrolling their children. Safiya Alhassan, a resident of Dagiri, said her son had to drop out because she couldn’t afford the ₦43,000 required to enroll him in senior secondary school.

Despite an increased national education budget of ₦3.52 trillion in 2025 — about 7.3% of the total budget — Nigeria still falls short of UNESCO’s 15–20% benchmark. Teachers in Abuja’s area councils recently suspended a three-month strike over poor remuneration and delayed minimum wage implementation.

As the nation continues to fall behind in infrastructure, digital access, and educational equity, children like Ramatu face a bleak future unless urgent reforms are made. Safe, well-equipped schools and affordable access to education are not luxuries — they are necessities. And until Nigeria acts decisively, the dreams of millions of its children will remain out of reach.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”