The Nigerian government has expressed concern over the growing number of Almajiri and out-of-school children, now estimated to be around 50 million.
Dr. Muhammad Idris, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education (NCAOOSCE), shared this alarming figure during a press briefing in Abuja.
Speaking at the inauguration of an eight-member committee tasked with reforming Almajiri education, Dr. Idris highlighted the pressing issue.
He revealed that 30 million Almajiri children and 20 million out-of-school children are currently wandering the streets across the country, a crisis that demands urgent action.
He further noted the vulnerability of these children, noting that the rise in social vices has made them targets for exploitation by unscrupulous individuals.
Report by Fatimah Ibrahim