.Begins re-establishment of 157 model Almajiri schools
.Sets up 119 learning centres for Almajiri education
In a major breakthrough in fight against educational exclusion, the Federal Government has identified and documented 700,000 out-of-school children across the country, within one month.
Nura Muhammad, Spokesperson for the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSCE) disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.
Muhammad said an extensive mapping exercise carried out by the commission, captured comprehensive data on each child, including their photograph, location, age, parents’ information, and reasons for being out of school.
According to him, the data is the most comprehensive and verifiable digital database on Nigeria’s out-of-school population.
He, therefore, urged state governments to commence the process of enrolment of the identified children in schools.
Muhammad said the data had been uploaded to a publicly accessible digital dashboard, making it “the most verifiable dataset yet generated on Nigeria’s out-of-school population”.
“This achievement is unprecedented in Nigeria’s efforts to address the challenge of out-of-school children, particularly in terms of generating reliable and verifiable data on this vulnerable population.
“Following the data collection exercise, the Commission formally wrote to all state governments and the FCT Administration, seeking their collaboration in enrolling these children into schools.
“As education falls under the concurrent legislative list, the cooperation of state governments is critical.
“Having taken the initiative to identify these children, we are calling on the states to take the next step and ensure their enrolment,” he said.
Muhammad noted that poverty remained the leading driver of out-of-school challenge, with many children kept at home because their parents could not afford basic costs, such as uniforms or PTA levies.
He added that, to cushion the burden, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa had facilitated the enrolment of 120,000 children into low-cost private schools, targeting the most vulnerable families.
Muhammad expressed optimism that with sustained cooperation from states, all the 700,000 identified children would soon be in school.
He explained that the enrolment, would pave the way for the Commission to expand its mapping exercise nationwide.
“Our goal is that by the end of the Tinubu administration, no child in Nigeria will remain out of school,” he said.
On the widely debated figures of Nigeria’s Almajiri and out-of-school population, Muhammad said the commission was prioritising accuracy over speculations.
According to him, the 20 million estimated number of Almajiri and out-of-school population in the country is not verifiable and accurate.
“We are committed to generating reliable data. The successful mapping of 700,000 children is just the beginning.
“With continued support from stakeholders, we are confident that we will soon produce a comprehensive and verifiable count,” he said
Muhammad said the comprehensive and verifiable figure of the children would enhance effective planning for their welfare and seamless implementation of targeted interventions.
.Begins re-establishment of 157 model Almajiri schools
.Sets up 119 learning centres for Almajiri education
Also, The Federal Government has commenced full recovery of the 157 model Almajiri Schools built across the country under the Administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Nura Muhammad, Spokesperson of National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSCE) disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.
Muhammad said the recovery was a decisive step taken by the federal government to revitalise and institutionalise Almajiri education in the country.
According to him, the recovery process is underway and all the schools will be brought under the Commission’s control before their rehabilitation begins.
He added that the renewed effort was sequel to the establishment of a legally backed national body, specifically mandated to regulate all Almajiri related educational activities, an institutional foundation that was absent during earlier reforms.
The spokesperson commended former President Jonathan for his remarkable efforts in initiating the 157 model Almajiri schools, describing the project as “a noble and well-intentioned stride toward modernising the system”.
He, however, noted that the initiative faced several constraints, particularly the failure to adequately engage “Alarammas”, – the traditional Qur’anic teachers/memorisers, responsible for Almajiri education -.
“We must commend President Goodluck Jonathan for his remarkable efforts towards reforming Almajiri education, which led to the establishment of 157 model Almajiri schools across the country.
“Although the initiative was noble and well-intentioned, it, however, faced several challenges.
“One major issue was the inability to adequately carry along the Alarammas, during the policy implementation.
“In addition, the programme existed merely as an initiative under the Federal Ministry of Education, without a strong institutional framework to sustain it,” he said.
Muhammad, however, said that with the establishment of the Commission, backed by law to regulate all activities relating to Almajiri education, and with the recent adoption of a National Policy on Almajiri Education, the momentum for reform is significantly stronger.
“We are confident that, in due course, all negative practices associated with the system will be eliminated.
“These schools will soon be fully under our control and subsequently rehabilitated so they can serve the purpose for which they were originally established,” he said
.As it Establishes 119 learning centres for Almajiri education
Similarly, , The Federal Government has established 119 learning centres across the country to transform access to foundational education for both Almajiri learners and out-of-school children.
The Spokesperson, National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSCE), Nura Muhammad, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.
Muhammad said the centres operate in two models, with some supporting existing Almajiri schools with structured literacy and numeracy classes, while others cater exclusively for out-of-school children using the Accelerated Basic Education Programme (ABEP) curriculum.
He said the approach enabled learners to cover foundational education within a much shorter period.
Muhammad also announced the successful development of a National Policy on Almajiri Education, driven by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa.
According to him, Almajiri learners would no longer be classified as out-of-school children.
He said, with the development, Almajiri schools would receive the same level of support and funding as conventional schools.
Muhammad said the Commission had strengthened its nationwide presence with an office in every state, within 28 months of its existence
He said the commission, as well, launched a ward-to-ward advocacy campaign in seven pilot states – Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno, Lagos, Ogun and Cross River -.
“The campaign engages parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups and children, sensitising communities to the dangers of leaving the Almajiri system unregulated and the importance of enrolling children in schools.
“So far, Lagos, Cross River, Ogun and Yobe have successfully covered all wards in their states, and the public response has been very encouraging,.
“The remaining states in the pilot phase are also making substantial progress. Ultimately, we will scale this model across the entire federation,” he said.
The spokesperson said the reforms were in line with the establishment Act of the Commission by the National Assembly, assented to, by the President in May 2023.
According to him, the mandate of the Commission includes reforming the centuries-old Almajiri system through literacy, numeracy and skills acquisition, while ensuring that millions of out-of-school children are enrolled into formal and non-formal education pathways.
“Upon assuming office, the Executive Secretary, NCAOOSCE, Muhammad Idris embarked on nationwide consultations with critical stakeholders, including the Sultan of Sokoto, the CAN President, the Oba of Lagos, the Shehu of Borno, the Ooni of Ife, and the Olubadan, among others.
“These engagements culminated in two major Abuja retreats organised with the Office of the National Security Adviser, focusing on reforming Almajiri education and addressing out-of-school children.
“The retreats produced the NCAOOSCE Strategic Plan (2025-2035), which outlines a clear roadmap for the next decade.
“Among the Commission’s flagship interventions is the Tinubu Legacy Skills Training Institute, established to equip Almajiri youths with both religious knowledge and employable skills,” he said.
He explained that, at its Kaduna campus, 200 Almajiri learners underwent a nine-month intensive training programme.
The training, according to him, covered Arabic and English literacy, Qur’anic interpretation and a broad range of vocational skills including POP design, plumbing, agriculture, tiling, solar installation, GSM repair and ICT.
He said the trainees studied under the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) curriculum, sat for the required examinations and are now awaiting their results.
“Many of them, previously unable to communicate in English or Arabic, can now do so fluently.
“A second branch of the Institute in Ibadan is currently training 150 girls who are also using the ABEP curriculum to fast-track their foundational education alongside vocational skills,” he said.
Muhammad added that, upon completing the nine-month programme, the girls would qualify to continue their formal education.
“These initiatives reflect the Tinubu administration’s determination to reform the Almajiri system and ensure no child is left behind.
“From expanded learning centres to community advocacy and skills development, the Commission is laying a foundation that will shape Nigeria’s education landscape for years to come,”Muhammad said.
