The National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education (NCAOOSCE) has clarified concerns over projects contained in its 2026 Appropriation Act that appear to fall outside its statutory mandate, explaining that they are National Assembly constituency projects assigned to the Commission for implementation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Senior Assistant on Media and Communications to the Executive Secretary and Commission spokesperson, Nura Muhammad, the Commission said the projects were incorporated into the 2026 Appropriation Act in line with the long-standing federal budgetary practice of assigning constituency projects to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for execution.
According to the Commission, all projects assigned to it under the Appropriation Act form part of its implementation responsibilities and will be executed in strict compliance with existing laws, financial regulations and due procurement processes.
The Commission, however, stressed that the inclusion of such projects does not alter its statutory responsibilities, reaffirming that its primary mandate remains the reform of the Almajiri education system and addressing the challenge of out-of-school children across the country.
It said it remains committed to expanding access to quality education, strengthening Almajiri education, supporting state governments and other stakeholders, and implementing programmes aimed at improving the lives and future of vulnerable children.
Highlighting its recent achievements, NCAOOSCE disclosed that it has successfully identified and profiled more than 700,000 out-of-school children nationwide, established 119 learning centres across the country, sustained ward-to-ward advocacy and community mobilisation campaigns, and continued implementing the National Policy on Almajiri to reform the system and curb associated social vices.
The Commission reiterated that addressing the plight of Almajiri and out-of-school children remains its foremost priority, expressing appreciation for the continued support of the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, and other critical stakeholders.
It assured Nigerians of its unwavering commitment to delivering on its statutory mandate and ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to quality education and the opportunity to realise his or her full potential.
