FG: 50 Million Almajiri and Out-Of-School Children Roam Nigeria’s Streets

• The Federal Government revealed that 30 million Almajiri and 20 million out-of-school children in Nigeria urgently need support and education
• Dr. Muhammad Idris emphasized the need for reforms in Almajiri education to provide direction and prevent exploitation of vulnerable children

The Federal Government has revealed that 30 million Almajiri children and 20 million out-of-school children are currently roaming the streets of Nigeria, urgently needing support and education.

Dr. Muhammad Idris, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education (NCAOOSCE), shared this alarming figure during the inauguration of an eight-member committee aimed at reforming Almajiri education in Abuja on Thursday.

Idris emphasized the need to provide these children with direction and a sense of belonging, especially as they are vulnerable to exploitation due to emerging social vices.

He condemned the practice of parents abandoning their children to beg on the streets, stressing that this issue affects all of Nigeria, not just a specific group.

“Almajiri children now have numerous leadership groups, with over 2,000 associations, making it difficult for the government to manage them,” Idris explained. He added that the government aims to modernize their education system by introducing modern pedagogy.

He called on the newly formed committee to unify the various Almajiri groups under one umbrella to ensure responsible leadership emerges among them. The committee is also tasked with bringing all “Tsangaya” (Almajiri schools) associations to enhance collaboration with the NCAOOSCE.

Idris assured that, with these reforms, 60% of Almajiri children will be integrated into the Tsangaya education system before the current administration ends. The committee has been given three weeks to complete its task.

Furthermore, Idris mentioned that discussions are ongoing with state governments to take over integrated Almajiri schools built by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

In response, the committee’s chairman, Sheik Sayyadi Alqasim, expressed gratitude to the government for the opportunity and promised the committee’s commitment to delivering the reforms on time and effectively.