The Nigerian Senate has decided to organize a national summit to address the increasing issue of out-of-school children, with over 20 million affected, according to a 2022 UNESCO report.
The Senate’s committee on education emphasized collaboration between federal and state governments. Some senators criticized state governments for not providing enough support and stressed the urgency of the situation, especially in northern Nigeria.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin highlighted the urgency of the situation, calling for immediate action from all stakeholders.
“This is a ticking time bomb and when it explodes it will consume us, especially the northern part of this country,” he said. “Islam does not allow the roaming of children on the streets. Reorientation needs to commence immediately. Stakeholders should sit down and find solutions.”
A national conference was proposed to find lasting solutions, but a date has yet to be set for the summit.
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