Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for closer collaboration with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s Almajiri school system and improve access to formal education for children.

She made the appeal during a courtesy visit by the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef Bin Muhammed Albalawi, at her office.

Mrs. Tinubu said reforming the Almajiri system remains a key step in tackling the growing number of out-of-school children, noting that many of the affected children are vulnerable to hunger, neglect and exploitation.

According to the First Lady, providing quality education for children in the Almajiri system is critical to securing the country’s future and ensuring they have better opportunities in life.

Ambassador Albalawi, who began his diplomatic assignment in Nigeria about five months ago, said he is committed to strengthening the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia and expanding cooperation between both countries.