*Nigeria’s high out-of-school children worries World Bank *IMF: Reforms causing hardship, but necessary for sustainable growth Eromosele Abiodun and Nume Ekeghe in Washington DC, Sunday Ehigiator, Dike Onwuamaeze in Lagos, Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt and Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano . With inflation eroding purchasing power in the country, households and firms are increasingly turning to second-hand markets in the country for their shopping needs. From clothing, cars, electronics to furniture and home decoration, the major second-hand markets in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Kano, are experiencing a surge in demand according to an investigation by THISDAY.
This is as the World Bank expressed concern over the high number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, urging both federal and state governments to take urgent steps to address the situation. Speaking in an interview with Arise News Channel on the sidelines of the ongoing IMF/World Annual Meetings in Washington DC, yesterday, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Ndiamé Diop, tasked policymakers in the country to work towards creating conducive environments that would attract children to schools.
Also, in an exclusive interview with THISDAY yesterday in Washington DC, Deputy Director in the African Department at the International Monetary Fund, Catherine Pattillo, urged policymakers in Nigeria and other African countries to ensure that social safety nets are put in place to protect the poor and vulnerable. She also .
