Iliyasu Abdullahi Bah
In a collaborative drive with UBEC and UNICEF, the state sets an initial target of enrolling 110,000 children, as new data reveals the crisis has worsened, affecting 787,619 children.
The Gombe State Government has initiated a major and urgent campaign aimed at drastically reducing its out-of-school children population by 50% before the year 2030. The ambitious strategy was unveiled on Monday during a critical one-day stakeholders’ engagement meeting convened by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in partnership with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The meeting brought together a wide array of key influencers, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, educators, and policymakers, to forge a unified front against an educational crisis of staggering proportions.
The urgency of the campaign was underscored by disturbing statistics presented at the event. While national figures already place Nigeria’s out-of-school children at a staggering 13.5 million, Gombe State’s specific situation is particularly dire.
Mr. Mohammed Kudi, a lead facilitator from the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, revealed that the number of out-of-school children in Gombe has surged from an initial estimate of 500,000 to a current figure of 787,619. This represents an alarming 13% of the state’s total population, highlighting a deepening crisis that demands immediate and concerted action.
The campaign outlines a clear, target-driven approach. The State Universal Basic Education Chairman, Babaji Babadidi, announced that each of the state’s 11 LGAs has been given a mandatory target to enroll no fewer than 10,000 pupils for the 2025/2026 academic session. This initial goal would bring a total of 110,000 children back into the classroom.
The strategy emphasizes that success hinges not just on enrollment, but also on retention and completion. The campaign focuses on creating a sustainable and enabling environment that encourages children to stay in school and complete their education.
The launch of this enrollment drive marks a significant step in Gombe State’s commitment to securing the future of its youth. By setting clear targets, leveraging partnerships with federal and international bodies like UBEC and UNICEF, and mobilizing its entire community structure, the state is mounting a comprehensive offensive against one of the most significant barriers to its development: out-of-school children.
The success of this initiative will depend on the sustained collaboration and unwavering commitment of every stakeholder.