The Federal Government has announced plans to take control of 157 almajiri schools established during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and later handed over to governors in the 19 northern states.

The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children (NCAOSC) revealed the decision during a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing event with the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) in Yola, Adamawa State.

He noted that these schools had been neglected by successive administrations, emphasizing the government’s commitment to reviving them to address the challenges of almajiri and out-of-school children.

“I have directed my Chief of Staff to conclude arrangements for the takeover of the 157 almajiri schools in the country, built by former President Goodluck Jonathan, which were abandoned by successive administrations,” he said.
“We have also applied to the Federal Government to rehabilitate these schools to enable the resumption of normal academic activities as part of our efforts to tackle this pressing issue.”

The commission is collaborating with the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) to deploy staff to the schools once they are rehabilitated, given the scale of the initiative.

Odinaka Chimbama, National Coordinator of CSACEFA and Policy Advisor, also highlighted the importance of education in national development.
“Any nation that wants to develop must invest in education, but unfortunately in Nigeria, even the little budgeted for the sector is not accounted for or properly utilized,” she remarked.

The revival of these schools is expected to play a significant role in reducing the number of out-of-school children and enhancing educational opportunities in Nigeria.