Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised the alarm over Nigeria’s education crisis, warning that millions of out-of-school children are at risk of recruitment by Boko Haram and other extremist groups.

Speaking at a public forum, Obasanjo described the situation as a “ticking time bomb” that threatens national security if left unaddressed.

“When children are left without education, without hope, and without opportunities, they become easy targets for terrorists who exploit their vulnerability,” he said.

Nigeria currently has an estimated 20 million out-of-school children, according to UNICEF—one of the highest figures in the world.

The majority are concentrated in the northern region, where Boko Haram has waged a violent insurgency for over a decade.

Obasanjo urged government, religious leaders, and communities to take urgent action to expand access to quality education.

He stressed that education remains the strongest weapon against poverty, radicalization, and insecurity.

He also appealed to international partners to support Nigeria in tackling the crisis, cautioning that failure to act could worsen insecurity and destabilize the country further.