Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
The National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education (NCAOOSCE) has moved to allay public concerns over items in the 2026 Appropriation Act that fall outside its legal responsibilities.
In a press statement issued by Nura Muhammad, Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Executive Secretary and Spokesperson for the Commission, NCAOOSCE clarified that the items in question are National Assembly constituency projects included in the 2026 Appropriation Act and routed through the Commission for delivery.
The Commission explained that this follows the established budget tradition where constituency projects are domiciled in Ministries, Departments and Agencies for implementation via the Appropriation Act.
Because the 2026 budget has been duly passed into law, all projects placed under the Commission automatically become part of its implementation duties. NCAOOSCE stated that these would be carried out strictly in line with existing laws, financial rules and standard procurement procedures.
Core Mandate Unchanged
However, the Commission sought to assure Nigerians that its core mandate has not changed. NCAOOSCE was established to lead national coordination for reforming the Almajiri education system and tackling the out-of-school children crisis.
It remains committed to widening access to quality learning, upgrading Almajiri education, working with state governments and other key partners, and rolling out programmes that directly improve the lives and prospects of millions of vulnerable children nationwide.
The Commission added that it would continue driving its central mandate with stronger commitment, pointing to several achievements as evidence of its progress.
Over 700,000 Children Documented
Notable achievements include the identification and documentation of more than 700,000 out-of-school children across Nigeria, the establishment of 119 learning centres across the country, continuous ward-level sensitisation and community engagement, and sustained work toward the complete rollout of the National Policy on Almajiri.
That policy is designed to reform the Almajiri system and remove the social problems linked to it.
NCAOOSCE reaffirmed that supporting Almajiri and out-of-school children remains its top priority. With backing from the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa; the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad; and other important stakeholders, the Commission said it remains fully dedicated to fulfilling its legal mandate and ensuring every Nigerian child gets access to quality education and the chance to reach their full potential.
