Northern leaders have attributed the widespread issue of out-of-school children to the insufficient investment by state and Local Governments in basic education.
In separate interviews with The PUNCH, these prominent leaders also highlighted indoctrination and insurgency as additional factors contributing to the alarming number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, particularly in the northern region.
According to 2023 data from the United Nations Children’s Fund, Nigeria has an estimated 10.2 million children out of school at the Primary level and 8.1 million at the Junior Secondary School level, making it the country with the highest number of out-of-school children globally.
In an interview in Abuja, a member of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Doguwa, expressed concern over the state of basic education, noting that while the Federal Government has made significant efforts to revive education at this level, state governments need to take greater responsibility.
Doguwa stated, “While we have federal agencies of government such as the Universal Basic Education Commission meant to complement the efforts of the state governments; the fact remains that the state governors must be held accountable and responsible for effective basic education administration in Nigeria.”
He continued, “It is disheartening looking at the state of increasing devastation in our school administration. Lack of proper funding and appropriate attention are the causal factors leading to the menace of out-of-school children, especially in the northern part of Nigeria. In my opinion, and by the principles of the federal democracy that we are operating today; most of the things to do with the administration and sustenance of basic or primary education is a constitutional responsibility of the state and local government.”
Doguwa, who represents Doguwa Tudun Wada Federal Constituency in Kano State, also pointed out that the rising insecurity in the North is partly linked to the increasing number of children who are not in school and instead engage in criminal activities.
He praised the Federal Government’s efforts to tackle these issues, citing legislative support for initiatives such as the student loan scheme, the Federal Government school feeding program, and the Almajiri School Commission Bill.
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Mr. Yerima Shettima, acknowledged that the Federal Government’s introduction of a student loan scheme is a positive step but raised concerns about its potential shortcomings.
Shettima remarked, “While the Federal Government’s introduction of a student loan scheme aims to alleviate some of the challenges, apprehensions regarding its implementation and potential for misuse persist. Therefore, a multi-faceted approach is imperative to effectively address the scourge of out-of-school children in the North.”
He further emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy, saying, “The menace of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria demands immediate and comprehensive action. While the Federal Government’s student loan scheme is a step in the right direction, it is essential to adopt a more holistic approach that addresses the root causes of educational disenfranchisement. By ensuring accessibility, engaging communities, leveraging technology, and establishing robust oversight mechanisms for financial initiatives, Nigeria can significantly mitigate the challenges surrounding out-of-school children.”
Adding to the discourse, the former Secretary General of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Anthony Sani, highlighted religious beliefs as a factor impeding some children from embracing Western education. He also mentioned the insufficient resources available to state governments.
Sani proposed, “Savings from the removal of fuel subsidy can be put in a trust fund for the exclusive use of the development of human capital. I say this because the current management of palliatives for over a year now has not yielded the desired result.”
