Dr. Muhammad Idris, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education (NCAOOSCE), revealed that approximately 30 million Almajiri and 20 million out-of-school children are in urgent need of assistance. Speaking in Abuja during the inauguration of a committee aimed at reforming Almajiri education, Idris emphasized the importance of providing these children with direction and a sense of belonging.
He criticized the practice of abandoning children to beg on the streets and noted the emergence of various leadership bodies among Almajiri, complicating government efforts to address their needs. The committee is tasked with unifying Almajiri groups and streamlining education efforts to integrate 60% of these children into the Tsangaya education system by the end of the administration. Idris also mentioned ongoing discussions with state governments to manage integrated Almajiri schools established by the Universal Basic Education Commission. Committee Chairman Sheik Sayyadi Alqasim expressed commitment to fulfilling their responsibilities.