By Abbanobi-Eku Onyekachi, Abuja
The Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa has urged the Senate to prioritize education and ensure that resources allocated to the sector are strategically planned and effectively utilized.
This advice came during the 2025 Budget Defence session of the joint Committee on Tertiary Institutions and Tet Fund and Education, held on Tuesday in Abuja.
Highlighting the importance of human capital development in strengthening the education sector, the Minister emphasized that education is the foundation of any society’s progress and that Nigeria’s low human capital index is a major concern that needs to be addressed, even as he informed that the FG has approved N60 billion for the Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Commission, which will be utilized to provide education and skills training to out-of-school children.
The Minister also announced a collaborative effort between the Federal Government (FG) and state governors to address the pressing issue of out-of-school children in Nigeria. According to Alausa, the ministry has been engaging with State Governments (SGs) to find lasting solutions to the problem. He emphasized the importance of a collaborative effort, stating that the issue of out-of-school children is not limited to one geopolitical region, but is a widespread concern that requires a unified approach.
The Minister expressed his concern about the alarming number of out-of-school children, describing it as “mind-boggling and disturbing.” He stressed that if left unaddressed, this issue could have severe consequences for the country. To combat this, Dr. Alausa has been working closely with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to develop strategies for tackling the problem.
One of the key areas of focus, according to him is the revival of abandoned Almajiri Schools, which were built during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, noting that out of over 100 schools established for out-of-school children, only a few remain operational. He emphasized the need for increased funding to support the Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Commission.
Overall, the collaboration between the FG and SGs marks a significant step towards addressing the crisis of out-of-school children in Nigeria. With a unified approach and increased funding, there is hope for providing education and opportunities to millions of children across the country.
