Why Is It So Difficult to Homeschool in Nigeria?

You have heard about it, haven’t you? The fact that you are reading this shows that you want to homeschool your child. But you are making a SWOT analysis. Well, this blog will help you on the T (threats) and W (weaknesses) aspects of your SWOT. Why is homeschooling in Nigeria so hard to do? What challenges will you face if you want to go down this road with your family? Let’s dig in. Wait. I forget we’re in Nigeria, and it doesn’t quite mean the same for us as everyone else. So I have to give a context.

Homeschooling in the Nigerian Context

In Nigeria, there are more than two ways of getting an education, but we will focus on the one that concerns everybody. Otherwise, we wouldn’t end this article with contexts.

The Nigerian society honours and adores the idea of leaving home. If an adult stays home and doesn’t “go to work”, he is seen as lazy and probably broke. If the person, God helps them, works from home and owns property, Nigerians will see them as fraudsters. Keep this in mind. Think about children. When a child stays home, without wearing a uniform and jumping out of the house every morning, the child’s parents get “the look!” The look is an expression of disdain, disappointment, and disapproval. You get this look because they see you as a poor parent who can’t afford school fees.

And homeschooling in Nigeria merges the two most awkward situations that set a family up for “the look”. How so? To properly homeschool, at least one parent has to stay at home with the child. Offense #1. And offense #2 is that the child will be home while other children jump out every morning holding their breakfast and lunch and crying to stay with their parent. So, homeschooling in Nigeria is a capital offense. However, it is completely legal.

So what is homeschooling?

Homeschooling is a misunderstood term in Nigeria. There are home lessons, home tutoring, after-school help, and after-school lessons. These are practically the same thing. An adult (usually an A-level graduate, or a typical school teacher) comes to a child’s home to help the child with certain academic problems. That is not homeschooling because they do not use a curriculum. They only have personalised learning plans and teaching methods.

Actual homeschooling is when a child who does not go to school learns at home or anywhere else other than a school. The homeschooled child has a plan, a scheme of work, and transcripts. They practically have everything they would have if they were going to school, but they are bespoke and tailored to the child. It is better explained in this blog.

Why is it so hard to homeschool in Nigeria?

We have walked through some of this in my attempt to provide you with context into the system in Nigeria. But there’s more. What are the challenges you will face if you try to homeschool your child in Nigeria? Let’s talk:

#1. Lack of Support and Cultural Bias

Right off the bat, you get ZERO help. There is a stigma around homeschooling, and for the most part, many people don’t even know that it exists or can work. The Nigerian education system, governed by the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act of 2004, makes it compulsory for children of school-going age to be in school at school hours. It is illegal, and in some states, this is even criminalized.

As I have said, the Nigerian society places a very high value on formal schooling – the uniform, the school building, and ultimately, the certificates (like WAEC, NECO). The idea of homeschooling often runs opposite to these deeply ingrained cultural expectations.

Let’s talk about the cultural bias. Homeschooling parents in Nigeria face skepticism, criticism, or outright resistance from extended family, friends, and the community. First of all, many people will express unfounded concerns about socialization (often misunderstood). Another concern is about the quality of education, and the child “missing out” on the perceived normalcy of school life. This social pressure can be isolating and discouraging for both parents and children.

#2. Infrastructural and Resource Limitations

Even if you can weather the scorn of your neighbours and family members, you may have another problem. You see, to homeschool properly, you need educational materials, technology, and time—luxuries many Nigerian families cannot afford. If you are in Nigeria, I don’t need to tell you this. But as an outsider, see this 2023 study in the Review of Education that highlights Nigeria’s struggles with educational infrastructure. You will note unreliable electricity and slow, costly internet as barriers to effective learning (DOI: 10.1002/rev3.3468). Now, to homeschool, you may need online platforms, curriculum, data, and fast internet, and so on.

Apart from that, you need books. Textbooks, worksheets, cardboard paper, flashcards, and manipulatives. These are not cheap. You also need time. A lot of time. And the Nigerian economic reality cannot afford that to most of us because many parents are working multiple jobs to survive Nigeria’s rising cost of living. Some families need both parents to work, and they cannot even afford a nanny or a professional teacher. Well, if you can afford it, homeschooling properly is quite pricey. You can check out our programs and see how expensive they are.

#3. Socioeconomic Pressures: Time and Money on the Line

Because of how deep this thing eats in Nigeria, I must reemphasize our economic challenges that amplify the difficulty to homeschool. With a significant portion of the population living below the poverty line, both parents in many households must work full-time. I have said that before you can homeschool properly, even if you hire a teacher, at least one parent must be at home with the child. That should not be negitiable. It’s fact. Your child needs you.

The 2024 Review of Education article underscores how poverty and insecurity strain educational access (DOI: 10.1002/rev3.3468). For these families, homeschooling isn’t just a logistical challenge; it’s an economic impossibility.

Even for middle-class families, the time commitment is daunting. Unlike in countries like the United States, where homeschooling networks and curricula are well-established, Nigeria lacks such infrastructure. Parents must single-handedly source materials, design lessons, and teach—often without prior training. This burden, coupled with the need to earn a living, makes homeschooling feel like an unattainable dream for many.

Inspiration Amid the Struggle

Yet, with these challenges, there are still many Nigerian parents who homeschool. They defy the odds to prioritize their children’s needs. Many join informal networks, like those on social media platforms mentioned in a 2023 Medium article by Adenike Babalola (Medium), to share resources and support. Others pay for help with companies like Caston Vienna Tutors. They adapt, using whatever tools are at hand. We love these parents.

Help For You With Caston Vienna Tutors Homeschooling

If you really really love to homeschool your child, you are not alone. We have worked with at least 58 families in Port Harcourt and 5 families outside Nigeria, who are homeschooling their children. We believe that difficulty doesn’t equate to impossibility. For every parent who stays on the path, there’s a ripple effect. It is a proof to others like you that change is possible, even in a system stacked against it. As Maigida notes, advocacy from educated families could eventually push policymakers to recognize homeschooling in Nigeria and make provisions for it (DOI: 10.31871/WJIR.9.4.5).

To join our homeschooling program, it would help you to book a consultation on our website. Start by learning about us. You can see more of our work on Instagram. Before then, remember that homeschooling in Nigeria is not easy. But with a company like Caston Vienna Tutors, you can rest. We will give you a complete personalised curriculum inspired by NAPPS (National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, which is the apex body representing private school owners in Nigeria).

Homeschooling in Nigeria is difficult because it demands parents to defy odds like resource scarcity, cultural norms, and economic hardship. But it is worth it. For those brave enough to take this path, the mountain may be steep, but the view from the top—a child thriving on their terms—makes every step worth it.