The 23 Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen in Sokoto State have pledged their commitment to reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state.
They made the pledge in support of the Sokoto State Technical Committee on Out-of-School Children, backed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which is mandated to tackle the growing crisis of out-of-school children and the Almajiri syndrome.
The chairmen made the commitment on Friday in Sokoto at the end of a high-level dialogue that engaged education stakeholders on practical solutions to address the challenge.
According to them, the support is aimed at boosting public involvement, strengthening the implementation of educational policies, and launching targeted interventions such as rural inclusion and community-based learning.
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Speaking on behalf of the council chairmen, Maidawa Kajiji of Shagari LGA described the initiative as “timely and necessary,” assuring the committee of their unwavering support to achieve lasting impact.
Kajiji noted that the participation of policymakers, traditional and religious leaders, development partners, civil society organizations, and community representatives showed strong collective commitment to chart a sustainable way forward.
“The consensus is clear: addressing the out-of-school challenge demands a collective and coordinated approach,” Kajiji said.
Earlier, Prof. Ladan Ala, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in Sokoto State, urged education stakeholders to intensify school monitoring and inspection efforts. He stressed that political interference in the appointment of school managers and teacher postings must be eliminated to improve quality education delivery.
Also speaking, Prof. Mustapha Namakka, Chairman of the State Technical Committee, outlined strategic interventions mapped out by the committee to reverse the troubling trend. He noted that the active involvement of the LGA chairmen underscores their importance in influencing public behavior and supporting policy implementation.
He commended the Association of Local Government Chairmen for their timely intervention and commitment to supporting government efforts.
Similarly, the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Umar Nagwari, highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts, including the regular payment of salaries to over 25,000 teachers and the provision of essential learning materials.
In his remarks, UNICEF Education Specialist, Mr. Francis Elisha, reiterated UNICEF’s continued support to Sokoto State in its pursuit of rapid educational development.
Elisha said UNICEF is committed to working with the government and local stakeholders to ensure every child has access to quality education, laying the foundation for a brighter and more equitable future.
He emphasized that the meeting underscored the urgency of collaborative action to strengthen Sokoto’s education system and ensure that every child, regardless of background, has access to learning opportunities.
“Sokoto State leaders are signaling a new era of commitment, accountability, and hope. Curtailing the menace of out-of-school children and Almajiri requires a collective approach, especially as the numbers continue to rise,” Elisha said.
