ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa has stated that Nigeria is now better equipped to effectively tackle the longstanding challenge of Almajiri and out-of-school children across the country.
Alausa made this statement on Sunday while engaging with the Committee of States Commissioners of Education in Nigeria (COSCEN) during a peer-learning webinar designed to promote coordinated education reforms nationwide.
He described the initiative as timely and aligned with national education priorities, emphasising that strong collaboration between the Federal Government and state governments remains crucial to sustainably reducing the number of out-of-school children.
“Reducing out-of-school children requires shared accountability, harmonised implementation frameworks, and evidence-based planning across all tiers of government,” he said.
Nigeria continues to have one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children globally, with earlier international estimates placing the figure in the millions, particularly in northern states where the Almajiri system is most common.
The Almajiri system, traditionally focused on Islamic education, has over time been associated with street begging and vulnerability among children due to weak regulation and poor integration into formal education structures.
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Alausa attributed the improved outlook to the creation of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, calling it a strategic institutional response to a decades-long challenge.
He highlighted that the Executive Secretary, Dr Muhammad Idris, brings both personal experience and administrative expertise, having risen from an Almajiri background to earn a PhD and previously serve as commissioner for education in Yobe State.
“Today, on the issue of Almajiri and out-of-school children, the work starts in the states, and I am encouraged by the renewed efforts we are seeing in each state to develop strategies to address the burden. The country is better positioned to manage and tackle this problem strategically, sustainably, and with a long-term vision,” he said.
Alausa also praised the structured reform initiatives led by COSCEN under its Chairman, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, noting that institutionalised peer learning would enhance policy coherence and accelerate measurable progress in access and equity nationwide.
“Let me take this opportunity to thank COSCEN Chairman, Dr Olohungbebe, for his work. I know you now have a functioning secretariat at the INEC office, and I want you to make good use of it,” Alausa added.
Dr Olohungbebe explained that the initiative marks a shift from consultative dialogue to results-oriented coordination, driven by data, peer accountability, and policy harmonisation.
“This platform moves us beyond discussions to structured solution sharing that aligns state innovations with federal frameworks, ensuring our complementary mandates deliver measurable outcomes for children,” he said.
The committee hosted its first webinar, highlighting reforms in Gombe State under the theme, “Gombe Strategy in Addressing Out-of-School Children: Innovative models, measurable results and scalable options.” The National Coordinator, Dr Leo Ebenezer, noted that the session advanced COSCEN’s peer-learning objectives and promoted coordinated reforms aimed at tackling Nigeria’s out-of-school challenge.
Gombe State Commissioner for Education, Aishatu Umar Maigari, presented data-driven interventions credited with improving enrolment and scalable models that could be adapted across Nigeria’s diverse education systems.
Education stakeholders continue to emphasise that sustained funding, accurate data tracking, community engagement, and curriculum integration are essential to resolving the Almajiri and out-of-school crisis, which has long been linked to poverty, insecurity, and youth unemployment.