Senate Calls For National Summit Over Out-of-school Children

In response to the alarming rise in insecurity and related criminal activities linked to the increasing number of out-of-school children across the nation, the Senate convened a national summit on Wednesday aimed at finding long-term solutions to this pressing issue.

This initiative was prompted by a report from the Senate Committee on Education (Basic & Secondary) following a motion introduced by Senator Usman Lawal Adamu (Kaduna Central) highlighting the urgent need to address the out-of-school children crisis in Nigeria.

Senator Adamu emphasised in his opening remarks that more than 20 million children are currently out of school, with a significant proportion residing in the country’s northern regions.

Deputy Senate President Senator Barau I Jibril expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “Mr. President, I must comment on this report as it addresses a critical issue. If ignored, it could become a ticking time bomb that will affect us, especially in the northern part of the country. The number of children wandering the streets without education is alarming and requires our immediate attention.”

He underscored that the solution to this crisis transcends the capabilities of any single government level, calling for a collective effort from local, state, and federal governments, traditional and religious leaders, and parents.
“I am pleased that the committee concluded that tackling the issue of out-of-school children in Nigeria necessitates a concerted approach from all levels: national, state, local governments, parents, and traditional rulers, along with development partners. The federal and state governments alone cannot resolve this; we must unite our efforts.”

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He further noted, “At the grassroots level, parents need to be reoriented to understand the importance of education. The federal government should facilitate this reorientation, emphasising that it is the responsibility of parents, as guided by both Islam and Christianity, to ensure their children receive proper education. Allowing children to roam the streets is inconsistent with the teachings of these faiths.”

Senator Tahir Mohammed Mongunu (APC Borno Central), the Senate Whip, shared his journey, recounting how missionaries encouraged him and his late brother to attend school, illustrating the transformative impact of education.

Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio highlighted that the ongoing issues of banditry, Boko Haram, kidnapping, and other criminal activities in the country stem from the out-of-school children crisis. He called on his colleagues to take decisive actions to address this issue effectively.

Consequently, the Senate resolved to convene a national summit involving all tiers of government, state governors, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to deliberate on the matter and seek comprehensive solutions. This motion was initiated by former Bayelsa Governor Senator Seriki Dickson and seconded by Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibril. Most senators expressed their support for the initiative when put to a vote.