The Nigerian Senate has summoned a national summit to address the worrisome rise in the number of out-of-school children in the country.
This decision came after Lawal Usman, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary), presented his report during a hearing on Tuesday.
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation’s 2022 report, Nigeria has the world’s highest population of out-of-school children, with over 20 million children missing access to formal education.
This worrying statistic has raised fears about the future of the country’s youth, leading a plea for immediate action.
Senator Usman emphasized the importance of a joint effort between the federal and state governments to handle the situation. He emphasized the importance of collaborative action to guarantee that every Nigerian child has access to basic education.
During the debate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan, representing Ogun West, voiced worry over state governments’ weak efforts.
He noted that, while the federal government has made significant investments in universal basic education, many state governments have failed to give equivalent money, stifling development.
“The federal government is doing a lot, but the sub-nationals are not providing their counterpart funds. We cannot put all the responsibility on the federal government. States need to step up,” ” Olamilekan noted.
The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, described the situation as a “ticking time bomb,” warning that if left unaddressed, the issue would have devastating consequences, particularly in northern Nigeria.
He called for immediate reorientation efforts, emphasizing that Islam does not condone children roaming the streets aimlessly. “Stakeholders need to sit down and find solutions before it’s too late,” Jibrin urged.
