Nigeria is mired in so many challenges that appear intractable, largely because of the lack of political will. The menace of out-of-school children, with all the danger it poses for the future generation, is one of them.
The federal government inaugurated the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-school Children Education (NCAOOSCE) one year ago, as part of measures to expand children’s education access and, importantly, address the worrisome issue of street begging by children.
One year after the Commission was inaugurated, and barely two years after the NCAOOSCE Establishment Act was enacted in May 2023, scepticisms still trail both national and subnational governments’ commitment to frontally combat the menace of out-of-school children.
Access Denied
Nigeria is a signatory to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 4 seeks to ensure that every child has access to quality education and learning opportunities. Specifically, it seeks to ensure that people, regardless of social status or other conditions of birth, have access to quality education from early childhood, hone the skills and knowledge needed for employment, and have access to lifelong learning opportunities.
On the contrary, about 18 million children have been denied this access in Nigeria. According to 2022 data by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Nigeria tops the list of out-of-school children in Africa, with an alarming 18.18 million children denied access to education. Ethiopia followed with 11.1 million, Tanzania (6.4 million), DR Congo (6.1 million), Sudan (5.6 million), Niger Republic (5.5 million), Uganda (4.9 million), Angola (3.9 million), Burkina Faso (3.5 million), and Mali (3.1 million).
Fundamentally, eighteen million is not just a number. It is the life of this nation’s future generation being toyed with. It would appear that the Nigerian government’s decision to enact the NCAOOSCE Establishment Act in 2023 was in response to this worrisome data.
However, there are genuine concerns that unless concerted efforts are made, the Commission would merely add to the long list of utterly ineffective government departments and agencies, some of which have since been recommended by the Orosanye Report for merger or outright scraping.
It is true that the Commission is responsible for formulating policy and issuing guidelines on matters relating to almajiri education and out-of-school children, providing funds for research and personnel development to improve almajiri education, and constructing classrooms and other facilities related to almajiri education.
In addition to partnering with other ministries and agencies, the Commission is to establish schools in settlements largely populated by almajiri and out-of-school children.
The Commission is also expected to address the plight of out-of-school children by providing a multimodal education system that will eradicate illiteracy and expose the children to much-needed skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programs.
However, the government’s budgetary allocation of a paltry N50.8bn to support out-of-school children in 2025 shows how little of a priority the menace is to the nation’s policymakers. But how does the Commission intend to spend even the measly allocation earmarked for it in this year’s budget?
Part of the commission’s plan to use this meagre allocation is to decentralize its operations by establishing state offices in all 36 states of the federation and conducting a mop-up exercise for Almajiri and out-of-school children in selected states. I cannot fathom why the Commission prioritises office accommodation in the 36 states. Its decision to spread the already thin resources across the nation on offices suggests a lack of tact and a crass display of disregard for the enormity of the challenges.
Beyond Promise
The worst culprits in this sheer disregard for the enormity of this challenge are the governors, especially those from the northern states. According to available data, the North have has the highest number of children roaming the streets, and the plethora of irresponsible parents that abound.
Data from StatiSense indicated that out of every 100 out-of-school children in the country, 67 are from the northern region, while 33 are from the southern region. This suggests clearly that the northern region, especially the Northwest states of Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara, is the worst hit.
In August last year, the Northern States Governors’ Forum promised to develop a comprehensive strategy to tackle the high rate of out-of-school children and the Almajiri menace. But the promise remains what it was: a promise. The 2025 budgetary allocations by the states, most of which have no clearly defined resource allocation to address the menace of out-of-school children, suggest that this issue is viewed as less of a priority.
Without prevarication, the government has not demonstrated the political will needed to address this menace in spite of its far-reaching negative implications. Otherwise, why should Nigeria today be grappling with such an intolerably high number of out-of-school children with all its attendant consequences?
One thing that is not lost on us all is that the reasons for this intolerably high number of out-of-school children are well known. What the nation, especially the successive leadership in the north, has not been bold enough to do (or that it has not taken seriously) is critically embarking on cause-and-effect analysis—that practical problem-solving technique that systematically identifies and investigates the potential causes behind a specific problem or event.
Critical stakeholders in the north must be ready to do what is needed to address this menace in order to bring down the number of out-of-school children.
For one, respective state and local governments must truly commit resources to tackling the challenges of education generally by providing a conducive teaching and learning environment beyond the current rhetoric. Truth is, there is a dearth of competent teachers in most states. These states are also grappling with inadequate classrooms. All of these point to one fact: poor budgetary allocation to the education sector. Beyond mere rhetorics, the political leadership must prioritise education by allocating more resources and ensuring judicious utilisation of such resources.
Most importantly, parents have to assume full responsibility for protecting their children. It is inconceivable that in a region where Muslims are predominant, we have a high number of out-of-school children, most of whom are abandoned by their parents and caregivers in defiance of God’s command to parents to take care of their children’s needs, both materially and emotionally, as well as ensure their well-being as clearly spelt out in the Quran.
Nigeria, especially the northern part of the country where the highest number of children are not attending school, must be ready for the fundamental question about which future is being negotiated for these children. One thing is certain. Their future must be planned. Otherwise, they will constitute a serious threat to their privileged peers, not just in the region but across the country, who are currently attending schools.
Rescue Ojajuni
A deeply distressing and highly traumatic video of Eniola Ojajuni, National President of Afenifere Youths, who is being held by kidnappers, begging for help is trending online. The youth leader was seen asking Nigerians to contribute to raise the N100m ransom demanded by his abductors. What I find puzzling is how it is possible for these terrorists to make calls and negotiate ransom without being traced inspite of the hype about SIM-NIN linkage.
Sadly, this calls to negotiate ransom has been ongoing for long with very scant report of the abductors being caught. Something is definitely wrong! Government must do all it takes to rescue Ojajuni and all those held captive by this renegades. Seeing Ojajuni remind me of the late Sarkin Gobir of Sabon Birni, Alhaji Mohammed Bawa,may his soul rest in peace. What happened to the Late Sarkin Gobir must not happen again. Nigerians must support concerted efforts of the security operatives to end this menace.
We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →
Join Our WhatsApp Channel
