School Dropout Among Adolescents with Disabilities in Rural Communities in Sokoto State

This study investigates the factors contributing to school dropout among adolescents with disabilities in rural communities in Sokoto State, North West Nigeria. School dropout remains a persistent challenge within Nigerian education, and adolescents with disabilities face compounded vulnerabilities including poverty, stigma, inaccessible school infrastructure, and family attitudes that prioritise economic productivity over education. In Sokoto State, where literacy rates are among the lowest in Nigeria and Almajiri education competes with formal schooling, children with disabilities are particularly at risk of permanent educational exclusion. Using a mixed-methods design, the study combines quantitative data from household surveys across four rural local government areas with qualitative interviews conducted with dropouts, parents, and community leaders. The quantitative component employs logistic regression to identify predictors of dropout, while thematic analysis is applied to qualitative data. The study focuses specifically on students who were previously enrolled and subsequently withdrew, distinguishing this population from those who never enrolled. Findings are expected to identify poverty and lack of disability-friendly facilities as the primary drivers of dropout in the region. Recommendations include targeted conditional cash transfer programmes for families of children with disabilities and the adaptation of existing Almajiri school structures to accommodate learners with special needs. The study offers important insights for the Sokoto State Universal Basic Education Board and national disability inclusion policymakers. Keywords: school dropout, disability, rural communities, Sokoto State, adolescents.