The Impact of Early Childhood Education Interventions on Cognitive Development in Nigerian Children: A Longitudinal Study

Early childhood education interventions are recognised for their potential to enhance cognitive development in children globally. However, evidence specific to Nigerian contexts is limited and often lacks longitudinal studies. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative assessments through standardised tests and qualitative interviews with parents and educators. Data from over 400 participants were collected at baseline and annually thereafter. Children exposed to ECE showed a statistically significant 15% higher average test scores in spatial reasoning compared to those not in such programmes (p < 0. 05), indicating the potential of early education interventions in fostering cognitive skills. The findings suggest that regular and structured ECE can substantially improve cognitive outcomes in Nigerian children, highlighting the importance of sustained educational initiatives for this age group. Policy makers should prioritise funding for comprehensive early childhood programmes to ensure equitable access and optimal development outcomes. Educators should be trained on evidence-based teaching methods to maximise intervention effects. Model estimation used =argmin_ᵢ (yᵢ, f_ (xᵢ) ) +₂², with performance evaluated using out-of-sample error.