Minister States Nigeria is Now Equipped to Address Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Issues

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has announced that Nigeria is now in a stronger position to confront the persistent issue of Almajiri and out-of-school children throughout the nation.

He made this declaration while supporting the efforts of the Olohungbebe-led Committee of States Commissioners of Education in Nigeria during a webinar intended to promote coordinated educational reforms across the country.

The Minister labeled the initiative as timely and fully aligned with the national education priorities.

He emphasized that effective collaboration between federal and state governments is essential for sustainably decreasing the number of out-of- school children.

"To effectively reduce the number of out-of-school children, we need shared accountability, harmonized implementation frameworks, and evidence-based planning across all levels of government," he stated.

Dr. Alausa reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to fostering collaborative national action in this sector. He praised the structured reform efforts led by the Committee of States Commissioners of Education in Nigeria (COSCEN), under the stewardship of its Chairman, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe.

He noted that institutional peer learning would enhance policy coherence and accelerate measurable improvements in accessibility and equity in education across the nation.

"I would like to express my appreciation to COSCEN Chairman, Dr. Olohungbebe, for his commendable efforts. I'm aware of the functioning secretariat at the INEC office, and I encourage you to utilize it effectively," the Minister commented.

Dr. Alausa mentioned that initiatives aimed at addressing the challenges of Almajiri and out-of-school children must originate at the state level. He expressed satisfaction with the renewed commitment from states in formulating practical strategies to address these issues.

"The responsibility for tackling the challenges related to Almajiri and out- of-school children lies with the states; I am pleased by the renewed interest shown by each state in devising strategies to confront this issue effectively," he remarked.

He added, "Currently, the nation is better positioned to confront and systematically resolve these challenges with a thoughtful and sustainable approach."

The Minister attributed the positive developments to the creation of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education. He highlighted the qualifications of the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Muhammad Sani Idris, who has a background in Almajiri education and extensive administrative experience, including a PhD and previous service as Commissioner for Education in Yobe State.

Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, Chairman of COSCEN and Kwara State's Commissioner for Education, stated that this initiative marks a transition from consultative discussions to results-oriented coordination rooted in data analysis, peer accountability, and policy synchronization.

"This platform elevates us from mere discussions to structured solutions that align state innovations with federal initiatives, ensuring our complementary responsibilities yield quantifiable benefits for children," Olohungbebe explained.

COSCEN recently hosted its inaugural webinar, highlighting educational reforms in Gombe State under the theme: "Gombe Strategy in Addressing Out-of-School Children: Innovative Models, Measurable Results, and Scalable Options,” which was attended by the Executive Secretary.

According to Dr. Leo Ebenezer, the National Coordinator, the webinar, conducted via Microsoft Teams, advanced COSCEN’s peer learning agenda while promoting coordinated reforms to effectively tackle Nigeria’s out-of-school challenges.

The session featured Aishatu Umar Maigari, the Gombe State Commissioner for Education, who presented data-driven interventions that have enhanced enrollment outcomes, providing scalable models adaptable to Nigeria's varied educational contexts.