The Senate has called for an urgent national summit to address the mounting crisis of out-of-school children, highlighting the issue as a critical national security concern. This decisive move follows crucial briefings with President Bola Tinubu and comes amid growing fears that the country’s large population of uneducated youth could become a recruitment pool for criminal enterprises.
The call for action emerged during a compelling Senate plenary session where the Committee on Education (Basic & Secondary) presented its findings on what many lawmakers described as a “ticking time bomb.” While recent efforts have shown promise, with Senator Usman Lawal Adamu of Kaduna Central reporting the enrollment of over 2 million previously out-of-school children in the past year, the scale of the challenge continues to demand unprecedented national attention and resources.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s stark warning that out-of-school children are becoming “potential bandits” underscores the deep connection between education access and national security. This perspective aligns with former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s previous caution about terrorist groups like Boko Haram targeting this vulnerable population for recruitment, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive intervention.
The Senate’s debate, which engaged more than 20 lawmakers, revealed the complex nature of the crisis and the need for solutions that extend beyond federal government initiatives. A key focus of the discussion centered on improving coordination between national and sub-national governments, particularly regarding the accessibility and utilization of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funds. This emphasis on collaborative governance reflects an understanding that the crisis requires a multi-tiered response involving all levels of government.
Senator Ahmed Lawan’s proposal to allocate significant funding from the 2025 budget specifically for addressing the out-of-school children crisis represents a potential shift in national priorities. This suggestion acknowledges that previous piecemeal approaches have failed to address the root causes of the problem and that a more substantial financial commitment is necessary for meaningful change.
The success story of enrolling 2 million children in the past year through coordinated agency efforts provides a blueprint for future initiatives. However, this achievement, while significant, also highlights the magnitude of the remaining challenge. The various agencies working on out-of-school children education have demonstrated that progress is possible with focused effort and resources, but scaling these successes to address the full scope of the crisis requires a more comprehensive national strategy.
The proposed national summit is expected to bring together stakeholders from across the education sector, security agencies, civil society organizations, and international development partners. This inclusive approach recognizes that the out-of-school children crisis intersects with various social, economic, and security challenges facing Nigeria.
Education experts point to multiple factors contributing to the crisis, including poverty, cultural barriers, inadequate infrastructure, and security challenges in certain regions. The summit will need to address these complex underlying issues while developing practical, implementable solutions that can be adapted to different regional contexts.
The economic implications of the crisis cannot be overstated. With millions of children lacking basic education, Nigeria faces the prospect of a generation ill-equipped to contribute to the country’s development and compete in an increasingly knowledge-based global economy. This human capital deficit threatens to perpetuate cycles of poverty and undermine national development goals.
International organizations have long highlighted Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis as a significant concern. UNICEF’s involvement and support through various initiatives, including the provision of educational materials and backpacks, demonstrates the global community’s recognition of the issue’s importance. However, sustainable solutions must be driven by domestic commitment and resources.
The Senate’s resolution for a national summit represents an important step toward developing a comprehensive strategy to address this challenge. The summit is expected to focus on several key areas: improving access to education, enhancing the quality of basic education, strengthening educational infrastructure, and developing sustainable funding mechanisms.
The emphasis on UBEC funds during the Senate debate highlights the need to address systemic issues in education funding. Many states have struggled to access these funds due to various administrative and technical challenges. The summit could provide a platform for resolving these obstacles and ensuring more efficient utilization of available resources.
As Nigeria prepares for this crucial national summit, the stakes could not be higher. The country’s future stability and prosperity largely depend on its ability to provide quality education to all its children. The Senate’s initiative represents a critical opportunity to transform political commitment into concrete action, potentially marking a turning point in Nigeria’s long-standing struggle with the out-of-school children crisis.
The success of this initiative will ultimately be measured not just by the number of children brought into the education system, but by the creation of sustainable mechanisms to ensure that every Nigerian child has access to quality education. As the nation awaits the summit, the hope is that it will produce not just dialogue, but actionable solutions to one of Nigeria’s most pressing social challenges.
