Senate Urges National Summit to Address Out-of-School Children Crisis

[justseyi]

Following discussions with President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Senate has called for a national summit to address the ongoing crisis of out-of-school children. This decision was reached after the Committee on Education (Basic & Secondary) presented its findings, emphasizing the need for immediate action.

During the Senate session, Committee Chairman Senator Usman Lawal Adamu, representing Kaduna Central, disclosed that over two million out-of-school children have been enrolled in educational programs over the past year, thanks to the collaborative efforts of various agencies within the Ministry of Education.

The issue sparked a passionate debate among over 20 lawmakers, with many labeling the growing number of out-of-school children as a “ticking time bomb.” They stressed that solutions must go beyond federal measures, calling for enhanced cooperation between the national government and state-level authorities. Several senators highlighted the need to streamline access to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funds, which are critical for educational initiatives.

Senator Ahmed Lawan proposed that a significant portion of the 2025 national budget be allocated to addressing the out-of-school challenge. Senate President Godswill Akpabio further emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that many out-of-school children are at risk of being drawn into criminal activities, exacerbating the security challenges in the country.

In response to these concerns, the Senate unanimously agreed to the proposal for a national summit, aimed at finding comprehensive solutions to this pressing issue.

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