Mirian Gom 
Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria is now better positioned to confront the long-standing crisis of Almajiri and out-of-school children, the Minister of Education Tunji Alausa declares.
Speaking during a peer-learning webinar organised by the Committee of States Commissioners of Education (COSCEN) on Sunday, Alausa says renewed federal–state collaboration is driving measurable progress.
“Reducing out-of-school children requires shared accountability and evidence-based planning across all tiers of government,” he says.
Nigeria remains one of the countries with the highest number of out-of-school children globally, particularly in northern states where the Almajiri system persists.
Alausa credits recent optimism to the creation of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, describing it as a long-overdue institutional response.
He highlights the leadership of Executive Secretary Muhammad Sani Idris, whose personal journey from Almajiri education to academia strengthens policy credibility.
COSCEN Chairman Lawal Olohungbebe says the initiative shifts reforms from dialogue to results-driven coordination, anchored on data and peer accountability.
Stakeholders agree that sustained funding, community engagement and curriculum integration remain vital to ending the crisis.
About the Author
Oluwafunbi Bello 
Hussaini Ibrahim 
