Wike Urges UBEC to Address Rising Out-of-School Children in Nigeria
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike calls on the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to intensify efforts in tackling the rising number of out-of-school children, especially in the FCT, during a meeting in Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed concern over the increasing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, urging the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to enhance its efforts to combat the issue. During a meeting with a UBEC delegation led by Executive Secretary Hamid Bobboyi in Abuja on Thursday, Wike described the situation in the FCT as alarming.
Wike remarked, "The rising number of out-of-school children, particularly in the FCT, is concerning. It's the responsibility of UBEC to address this. During my time in education, we made strides in building schools and providing necessities like clothing and food for children, especially in the North with the Almajiri system. Sadly, the numbers have since tripled."
He stressed the importance of states paying counterpart funding to support UBEC’s initiatives and highlighted that solving the nation's security challenges is linked to bringing children back to school. Wike also noted that the influx of people into the FCT from other regions is exacerbating the situation.
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