Chairman, Southern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has pledged the Forum’s support for the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education (NCAOOSCE).

During a courtesy visit by NCAOOSCE Executive Secretary, Dr. Muhammad Idris, Governor Abiodun stressed the importance of addressing the almajiri and out-of-school children challenge, describing it as a “national priority” and a “time bomb” that must be tackled head-on.

He expressed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with the NCAOOSCE to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Ogun State, where 10.3% of primary school-age children, 12.1% of junior secondary school-age children, and 20.9% of senior secondary school-age children are currently out of school.

Governor Abiodun commended Dr. Idris’s leadership capacity and announced a donation of a state office accommodation for the Commission as well as the appointment of a focal person to ensure synergy between the state government and the NCAOOSCE.

Dr. Idris lauded Governor Abiodun’s passion for education and thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support.

According to the Commission, the visit marks the beginning of its advocacy in the southern region, aimed at enrolling millions of Nigerian out-of-school children in school and reforming the Almajiri system of education.