Millennium Development Goals were established by the United Nations to help underdeveloped countries to overcome problems of illiteracy, poverty, low health status and quality of life. Much emphasis was placed on the attainment of MDG targets in education because of its pivotal role in national development. The targets include education for all through 100% gross enrolment rate by 2015, gender equality in access to education opportunities, eradication of adult illiteracy, and improvement of the quality of education. Nigeria was used as an example to examine challenges faced by the African continent in pursuit of MDG targets in education. Nigeria's experience revealed great increases in school enrollments with improvements in gross enrolment rates. But big gaps still exist between states and regions, and between targeted expectations and real achievements, particularly in reduction of gender disparity and adult illiteracy. To raise the prospects of goal attainment, African governments must see education as a right rather than a privilege, and therefore increase budgetary allocations to education. There is also critical need for prudent management of available funds and resources. All African countries should mobilize to provide free and compulsory basic education for the citizens, and organize more mass literacy and public awareness campaigns on the role of education in personal and national development. (Contains 3 tables.)