President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s inspired appointment of Dr. Muhammad Sani Idris as Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSCE) has set a powerful course to address this challenge. Dr. Idris’s visionary leadership, bolstered by the Minister of Education and dynamic partnerships with state governments, is reshaping the educational landscape and offering hope to millions of vulnerable children.
President Tinubu’s selection of Dr. Idris, an accomplished educator with advanced degrees in Islamic Studies, is a testament to his commitment to placing seasoned professionals in critical roles. Dr. Idris’s illustrious career, spanning roles as Director-General of Al-Iman School Lafia, Commissioner for Basic/Secondary Education in Yobe State, and Chairman of the Nigerian Arabic Language Village in Borno state, equips him with the expertise to tackle the complex almajiri crisis. Since taking the helm in March 2024, he has rolled out a meticulously designed strategic plan aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to reintegrate 10 million out-of-school children by 2027. His data-driven, collaborative approach is already yielding impressive results, positioning the commission as a lighthouse for educational reform.
Dr. Idris’s strategy is a masterclass in innovation, beginning with widespread sensitisation and advocacy campaigns that engage rural communities and traditional leaders. His recent visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, highlighted the pivotal role of traditional rulers in curbing street-based almajiri practices that leave children vulnerable to exploitation. By fostering dialogue with parents and religious scholars, Dr. Idris is building a cultural shift that embraces formal education while honoring Islamic traditions, echoing the summit’s call for community-driven solutions. These efforts are critical in addressing the staggering 20 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, with over 500,000 almajiri concentrated in the North.
A flagship initiative under Dr. Idris’s leadership is the comprehensive needs assessment of active and abandoned almajiri schools. As noted in the communiqué issued by Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation following its 2-day interactive session on Government-Citizen Engagement, themed “Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government-Citizen Engagement for National Unity”, held at Arewa House, Kaduna, on July 29-30, 2025, many of these facilities have deteriorated or been repurposed, hindering educational progress. The commission’s surveys are identifying rehabilitation needs to transform these schools into vibrant hubs that blend Quranic education with modern subjects like English and mathematics. Complementing this is an ambitious data collection drive to create a detailed database of out-of-school children and almajiri. In Kano state, for instance, the commission is registering children across 15 local government areas, with plans to cover all 44, ensuring precise, targeted interventions. This data-driven approach addresses a critical gap, enabling efficient resource allocation to reduce the 69% of Nigeria’s 13.4 million out-of-school children residing in the North.
Dr. Idris’s commitment to building synergy with state governments, backed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa, is producing remarkable outcomes. A standout example is the commission’s collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Education Secretariat, which facilitated the enrollment of 22,307 out-of-school children in Abuja schools, surpassing the initial target of 10,000. Supported by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, this achievement showcases the power of federal-state partnerships. Similarly, collaborations with the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and Yobe State University are driving the establishment of mega model schools that integrate Islamic and Western education with vocational skills. The pilot programme in Kaduna, blending Quranic studies with modern curricula, is a blueprint for other states, ensuring Almajiri children receive holistic education.
The minister of education’s formation of an inter-ministerial committee, including the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has fortified Dr. Idris’s initiatives. From teacher training to partnerships with NGOs and addressing root causes like poverty and early marriage, the commission is tackling the almajiri crisis comprehensively. Plans to launch a vocational training center in Ibadan, empowering 150 learners from Southern Nigeria, will further reduce vulnerability to delinquency by equipping youth with economic skills. These efforts align seamlessly with the summit’s call for inclusive, non-kinetic approaches to national challenges.
Dr. Idris’s strategic plan, anchored in advocacy, data collection, school rehabilitation, and federal-state synergy is transforming the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education into a force for change. With the minister of education’s support and the foundation’s commitment to inclusive dialogue, Nigeria is on a promising path to ensuring every child has access to quality education. Stakeholders must rally behind this momentum to build a future where no child is left behind.