Borno-based public affairs commentator, Aishatu Kabu, has questioned the inclusion of a ₦1.4 billion road project in the 2026 budget of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, arguing that the allocation highlights concerns about budgeting priorities and accountability.
In a commentary titled “The North: Out-of-School Children and the Politics of the Almajiri Commission,” Kabu said the commission, established to tackle Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis, should focus its resources on improving access to education rather than funding projects outside its core mandate.
According to her, the commission’s 2026 budget includes ₦1.4 billion for the rehabilitation and construction of Obasanjo-Itele Road and Idogo Township Road in Ogun State.
Kabu noted that the commission explained the project was included as a National Assembly constituency project. However, she argued that the allocation raises important questions about whether agencies are being used to fund projects unrelated to their statutory responsibilities.
She maintained that the issue extends beyond regional politics, saying the diversion of resources from agencies responsible for education ultimately affects vulnerable children across Nigeria.
Referring to children she has encountered in states such as Borno, Kano, and Sokoto, Kabu described the Almajiri and out-of-school children crisis as a national emergency requiring sustained investment in education, welfare, and skills development.
She recalled that the commission was established in 2023 to promote multi-modal education, reduce illiteracy, and provide educational opportunities for Almajiri and other out-of-school children.
While estimates of Nigeria’s out-of-school children vary, Kabu observed that the country continues to rank among those with the highest number of children outside the formal education system.
She also referenced the Almajiri Integrated Model Schools established during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, describing the initiative as an attempt to invest directly in children’s education despite implementation challenges.
To address the crisis, Kabu recommended expanding Almajiri schools within communities, improving teacher welfare, providing feeding programmes and learning materials, and seeking international partnerships to support education financing.
She further called on the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education to account for its budgetary spending and urged the National Assembly to avoid assigning constituency projects that fall outside the mandates of government agencies.
According to her, budgets should reflect national priorities and remain aligned with the objectives for which institutions were created.
Editor’s Note: This report summarizes the views expressed by Aishatu Kabu in her published commentary. The opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of S24 Television.
