In a powerful move to address Nigeria’s alarming out-of-school children crisis, the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education (NCAOOSCE) has handed over 22,307 children to the FCT Ministry of Education.
At a ceremony held in Abuja on Friday, the Executive Secretary of the NCAOOSCE, Muhammad Idris, emphasized the urgency of re-enrolling these children into formal education, stressing that their future depends on access to schools and proper care.
“We are not just handing over children today; we are handing over the future of this nation,” Idris said during the event.
The 22,307 children were identified and brought together from across the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), an initiative aimed at clearing the streets of vulnerable, out-of-school children.
Idris called on the FCT Education Secretariat to ensure these children are promptly enrolled in schools across the territory. He also expressed his gratitude to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for his continued support of this education program.
“The FCT has set an example, and we hope other states will follow suit. Our goal is to mop up 10 million children from the streets, and this is just the start,” Idris declared.
A Nationwide Push to End Child Neglect
Idris described the initiative as part of a broader national effort to combat the rising number of out-of-school children, who are often forced into street life due to neglect.
“This is a serious matter for this administration. The president has made it clear: enough is enough. It’s time to give every Nigerian child a chance to succeed,” he stated.
Idris added that the children, who are often left to fend for themselves on the streets, are vulnerable to exploitation and radicalization.
“Many of these children are being used for criminal activities,” he said. “Some are involved in Boko Haram operations, others are part of criminal gangs. They are the ones causing the chaos we are dealing with today.”
The NCAOOSCE is determined to reverse this trend by ensuring that more children are sent back to school, especially in a time when education is seen as the key to securing a brighter future for Nigeria.
Addressing Barriers to Education
Danlami Hayyo, the FCT Mandate Secretary for Education, was on hand to receive the children into the education system.
Speaking at the handover event, Hayyo reaffirmed the FCT’s commitment to removing barriers that have prevented children from accessing formal education.
“We have taken critical steps to ensure that every child, no matter their background, has access to quality education. Our ‘Back to School’ initiative is one of the key steps we have taken to ensure that children who might otherwise be left behind have a pathway to education,” Hayyo explained.
The initiative is designed to integrate children who have missed out on formal schooling into the classroom.
“It is a landmark moment not just for these children but for the entire education sector,” Hayyo added. “We are providing them with the opportunity to learn, to grow, and to build the future of this nation.”
The National Importance of Education Reform
The handover of the 22,307 children is a reminder of the immense challenge Nigeria faces in its efforts to educate every child. According to recent estimates, millions of Nigerian children are still out of school, with many caught in a cycle of poverty and neglect.
The NCAOOSCE’s efforts are a direct response to this issue, with a particular focus on vulnerable children in both urban and rural areas.
“We are not just tackling an educational issue; we are tackling a national security issue,” Idris said. “Out-of-school children can easily become victims of crime or exploitation. They need our intervention.”
A Model for Other States
Idris’ call for other states to follow the example set by the FCT is an urgent appeal for a nationwide movement to restore educational access to every child.
The FCT government’s efforts are part of a broader initiative that includes school infrastructure improvements, teacher training, and community outreach programs aimed at ensuring children who have dropped out of school for various reasons can return to the classroom.
“We are building a system that ensures every child has the tools and the opportunity to thrive,” Hayyo said.
The Federal Government’s goal of reducing the number of out-of-school children is ambitious, but with ongoing support from state governments and ministries, it is possible.
“Education is the foundation of progress,” Idris said. “We have the resources, we have the commitment, and we must continue to make this a priority.”
The Road Ahead
While the 22,307 children handed over to the FCT Ministry of Education is a significant achievement, it marks only the beginning of a much larger mission.
In the coming months, the NCAOOSCE plans to extend its efforts nationwide, ensuring that every state is engaged in addressing the out-of-school children crisis.
“This initiative is just the beginning,” Idris emphasized. “The president’s directive is clear: we must make sure that no child is left behind.”
