The Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, has warned that Nigeria faces a looming crisis if immediate action is not taken to address the growing number of out-of-school children. During his appearance before the Joint Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TetFund and Education at the National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday, Alausa emphasized the severity of the issue, stating that without concerted efforts, the country risks being consumed by the menace. The alarming figure of 18.3 million children currently out of school in Nigeria, as reported by UNICEF, has prompted the Federal Government to collaborate with state governors to devise realistic solutions.

Alausa underscored the need for a unified approach, revealing that the Ministry of Education has already engaged in discussions with state governors and all 36 commissioners for education, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to tackle the problem. The minister noted that the issue is not confined to any one region but is widespread across the country, making it a national challenge requiring a collaborative response. “The number of out-of-school children is mind-boggling and disturbing. It is not in just one geopolitical region. It is everywhere,” he said, stressing the urgency of addressing the crisis.

In addition to his remarks on the general out-of-school children crisis, Alausa turned his attention to the Almajiri schools, which were established under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. The schools were intended to address the educational needs of out-of-school children, particularly in northern Nigeria, where the Almajiri system is prevalent. However, Alausa expressed his displeasure that many of the schools remain abandoned and underfunded. “Of the over a hundred of the schools built for out-of-school children, only a few are operational,” he lamented, calling for the revival of these schools to fulfill their original purpose. He also pointed out that the funding for the Almajiri and out-of-school commission is insufficient, urging for increased financial support to make the schools fully functional.

The minister’s comments come at a time when the government is seeking to enhance human capital development through education. Alausa emphasized the importance of education for national growth, highlighting that Nigeria’s low human capital index is a significant concern. “Without education, we can’t survive as a society,” he stated. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TetFund, Sen. Muntari Dandutse, also weighed in, stressing the critical role of education in nation-building and the lawmakers’ responsibility to ensure that resources allocated to the education sector are effectively utilized. The call to revive the Almajiri schools reflects the growing need for practical, sustainable solutions to address the out-of-school children crisis and improve the quality of education in the country.