Literacy rate: 65%

Numbers in tertiary education: 207,982 students

THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

Responsibility for education is shared between the federal and the state governments. Education has suffered from the government's massive debt repayment burden. During the oil-boom years, Nigeria concentrated on creating 31 universities with prestigious medical and scientific schools. Primary education did not receive the same level of investment and standards have fallen. In 2003 it was revealed that around six million children do not attend school at all, while another eight million work part-time to help fund their education.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004