In a bold move to confront one of Nigeria’s most pressing social challenges, governors from the North-East have thrown their collective weight behind efforts to reform the Almajiri system and reduce the staggering number of out-of-school children in the region.
At the conclusion of the North-East Governors’ Forum held in Damaturu, Yobe State, on Thursday, leaders from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe States announced their unanimous decision to collaborate with the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSCE). As part of this partnership, each state will provide dedicated office space for the commission and implement a coordinated strategy to integrate vulnerable children into formal, vocational, and technical education systems.
Reading the communique, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas said:
“The Forum resolved to work closely with NCAOOSCE by not only offering institutional support but also championing large-scale enrolment of Almajiri and out-of-school children. Our approach will be unified, regionally tailored, and deeply rooted in long-term transformation.”
Addressing the persistent threat of insecurity, the Forum expressed concern over the recent uptick in insurgent activities across the sub-region. The governors called for a strategic reassessment by the Armed Forces and security agencies, stressing the importance of a holistic security framework that goes beyond military force.
“Solving the security crisis in the North-East demands a dual approach—combining tactical operations with long-term socio-economic interventions,” the Forum stated. “This includes youth empowerment, skills acquisition, improved road infrastructure, quality education, and poverty alleviation.”
The Forum also emphasized the strategic importance of the Nigerian Law School’s Yola Campus, pledging to support its expansion through the provision of additional hostel accommodation, water infrastructure, and upgraded facilities. These measures aim to boost enrolment capacity and improve learning conditions for law students from across the region and beyond.
While commending the Federal Government and the Armed Forces for their ongoing fight against insurgency, the governors reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative governance on issues of shared concern—including security, education reform, and socio-economic development.
“We remain steadfast in our pursuit of regional unity and sustainable progress,” the communique concluded.
