Sagiru Bala Musa, Mamuda Adamu
The problem of Out-of-School children is assuming an alarming dimension in Nigeria as millions of children are excluded from formal school due to social-economical, geographical, and cultural factors. Public libraries, as places that exist to provide free and equitable access to information and learning resources, have the potential to be important contributors toward addressing the educational challenges that vulnerable young people face. This paper investigates the services, programmes and facilities that public libraries are offering to out-of-school children in Nigeria. It examines how public libraries can act as non-formal education spaces providing capacity for inform and learn, digital literacies and support for academic work. The research pointed out several key issues behind Nigeria's educational challenges, including gender inequality, economic factors, children out of school, regional imbalances, lack of funding, and certain government policies. For the kids who aren't in school, the main hurdles are poverty, economic barriers, social and cultural expectations, issues related to conflict and safety, gender inequality, and poor educational facilities. The study also showcases some successful interventions and best practices from libraries that have introduced creative programs to reach out to out-of-school children. Our findings suggest that while public libraries in Nigeria aren't fully leveraged to address the educational crisis, they could be vital for reducing educational gaps if policymakers take the right steps, use resources wisely, and launch community outreach efforts. The research underscores the need for increased funding for staff training and library infrastructure, along with ideas for enhancing the future role of public libraries through closer collaboration with government agencies, NGOs, and businesses. Ultimately, this study highlights the importance of reevaluating how public libraries can contribute in countries like Nigeria, working alongside various stakeholders to support all students in achieving sustainable education goals, no matter their enrolment status.