The Nigerian Senate has raised an alarm over the growing number of out-of-school children in the country, which is currently estimated at over 20 million. This crisis was brought to national attention when former President Olusegun Obasanjo highlighted the alarming situation, warning that these children could become easy recruits for groups like Boko Haram and other criminal organizations. In response, the Senate has decided to convene an emergency national summit to address the issue, which they describe as a “time bomb.”
Obasanjo’s Warning
During a speech in Bauchi on Sunday, Obasanjo voiced serious concerns about the large number of children who are not attending school. According to Obasanjo, about 10 percent of Nigeria’s population, or more than 20 million children, are out of school, a statistic supported by the World Bank. Obasanjo emphasized the potential consequences of this situation, noting that these children are at risk of being recruited by terrorist groups, contributing to the nation’s growing security problems.
“This is a ticking time bomb,” Obasanjo warned, urging the government and society as a whole to take immediate action to address the crisis before it spirals out of control.
The Senate’s Response
Following Obasanjo’s comments, the Senate moved swiftly to address the issue. On Wednesday, the Senate debated a report presented by the Committee on Basic Education, which included urgent recommendations to address the growing number of out-of-school children. The report highlighted the need for all levels of government—federal, state, and local—to prioritize the education of children and to create a more effective and coordinated approach to reducing the number of children not attending school.
Senator Lawal Usman, the chair of the Basic Education Committee, reported that the situation is dire, with over 20 million children currently out of school. He explained that the Senate had debated the situation at length and passed a resolution calling for an emergency summit to find solutions to this issue.
Social Impacts of the Crisis
The Senate’s report also discussed the wide-ranging consequences of having so many children out of school. These impacts are not only educational but also social, economic, and security-related. One of the major concerns is the failure to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those aimed at providing equitable and quality education for all children. The lack of access to education is seen as a significant barrier to the nation’s progress in achieving these global goals.
Moreover, the report warned that out-of-school children are more vulnerable to exploitation by criminal groups, including kidnappers, bandits, and terrorists. This contributes directly to the country’s escalating security challenges, with armed groups often targeting young, uneducated children for recruitment. The report also pointed out the economic consequences of having such a large number of uneducated children, who are less likely to contribute positively to the economy as they grow older.
The problem is particularly severe in certain parts of Nigeria, with northern regions being disproportionately affected. However, the Senate noted that the issue is a national one, and efforts to solve it should involve every level of government, as well as other key stakeholders such as traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and international partners.
Senator Contributions and Urgency of Action
During the debate, almost all senators who spoke on the matter stressed the urgency of addressing the out-of-school children crisis. Senator Barau Jibrin, the Deputy President of the Senate, described the situation as “extremely serious” and emphasized that it could have disastrous consequences for the country if not addressed immediately.
Jibrin likened the problem to a “time bomb” that could explode at any moment, particularly in the northern regions of the country, which already face a higher prevalence of out-of-school children. He argued that the solution must go beyond the federal government’s efforts and must involve state and local governments, as well as local communities, in order to create a comprehensive and effective solution.
In a similar vein, Senator Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa West moved a resolution calling for the national summit. The summit, he argued, would bring together all relevant stakeholders to develop a roadmap to solve the crisis and implement solutions that would help ensure every child in Nigeria has access to quality education.
The Need for a National Summit
The Senate has now called for the national summit, which will focus on finding concrete solutions to the problem of out-of-school children. Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized that the summit is crucial for the country to take swift and decisive action. Akpabio stressed that the issue of out-of-school children is not just an educational matter, but a security and social issue that requires urgent attention from all sectors of society.
The proposed summit will bring together policymakers, educators, experts, and representatives from various organizations to discuss the causes of the crisis and identify practical solutions. The goal is to ensure that every child, regardless of their background or geographical location, has access to education. It will also explore ways to make education more inclusive, addressing factors such as poverty, insecurity, and cultural barriers that prevent children from attending school.
Addressing the Root Causes
One of the key challenges in solving the problem of out-of-school children is addressing the root causes that prevent children from getting an education in the first place. In many parts of Nigeria, poverty is a major factor that keeps children out of school. Families struggling to make ends meet often prioritize immediate survival over education, especially when school fees, uniforms, and other expenses are difficult to afford.
Insecurity, particularly in northern Nigeria, is another major barrier. Armed groups, including Boko Haram, have targeted schools and children in their efforts to destabilize the region. This has led to widespread fear and reluctance among parents to send their children to school, particularly in conflict zones.
Cultural factors also play a role, with some communities placing less value on educating girls or children from marginalized groups. Addressing these cultural and societal attitudes will be a key part of any solution to the crisis.
What Needs to Be Done
To tackle this issue, experts and policymakers agree that a multi-faceted approach is needed. This would include increasing government funding for education, especially in rural and conflict-affected areas, as well as providing incentives for families to send their children to school. Efforts to improve the security of schools and protect students from attacks would also be essential to restoring public trust in the education system.
In addition, there needs to be a concerted effort to address poverty and economic inequality, which often serve as major barriers to education. Providing free or subsidized education, offering scholarships, and creating job opportunities for parents can help alleviate some of the financial pressures that prevent children from attending school.
Conclusion
The crisis of out-of-school children in Nigeria is one that requires urgent action from all sectors of society. The Senate’s call for a national summit is a step in the right direction, as it will bring together key stakeholders to collaborate on finding solutions to this pressing issue. If left unchecked, the situation could have severe consequences for Nigeria’s future, particularly in terms of security, economic development, and social stability. It is clear that addressing the out-of-school children crisis must be a national priority, and everyone has a role to play in ensuring that every Nigerian child has the opportunity to receive an education.
