The Ministry of Education in Nigeria has expressed its commitment to bringing back the country’s estimated 20 million out-of-school children within the next four years.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, made this statement during the 2024 budget defense before the joint committee of the National Assembly on Education in Abuja.
He highlighted the importance of addressing the out-of-school children issue and emphasized the need for skills training and empowerment programs for those unable to return to formal education.
The minister stressed the importance of reviewing Nigeria’s school curriculum to ensure it promotes skills acquisition, and he encouraged universities to incorporate skills training and entrepreneurship into their curricula to produce graduates with practical competencies.
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Prof. Tahir Mamman noted that the ministry is working on strategies to provide opportunities for as many out-of-school children as possible to return to education.
In the 2024 budget, the Ministry of Education was allocated a total of N101.45 billion, with specific allocations for personnel costs, overhead costs, and capital expenditures.
The minister highlighted the importance of empowering individuals through short-term skills training, enabling them to connect with society and have meaningful livelihoods.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Alternative Education, Rep. Aliyu Mustapha, expressed the House’s concern about the rising number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
He acknowledged the ministry’s focus on addressing this issue and vocational training, emphasizing the National Assembly’s efforts to secure increased allocations for education programs.
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