FG Moves to Get Accurate Count of Out-of-School Kids

The Federal Government has announced plans to carry out a comprehensive survey across the country to get an accurate number of children who are not in school. This move is aimed at getting a clear picture of the situation, which will inform policy decisions and interventions in the education sector. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made this disclosure at the 2026 Annual Education Summit of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria in Abuja. According to him, the survey will be conducted in partnership with the National Bureau of Statistics to generate reliable data that will guide policy decisions and interventions in the sector. Alausa noted that while the government has made significant progress in reducing the number of out-of-school children, with over one million returned to school in the past two years, there is still a need for accurate data to measure progress and address the problem effectively. The minister emphasized the importance of evidence-based policymaking, stressing that access to accurate data will empower citizens to demand greater accountability from public office holders. He also urged journalists to go beyond routine reporting and engage in investigative journalism that highlights gaps in the education sector and tracks government performance using verifiable evidence. The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, and the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Aisha Garba, also spoke at the summit, emphasizing the need for quality education and the importance of leaving no child behind. The summit, themed 'Three Years of the Tinubu Administration: Assessing Reforms, Progress and Challenges in Nigeria's Education Sector,' brought together policymakers, education stakeholders, and journalists to evaluate reforms and challenges in the education sector. Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children in the world, and the issue remains a major national development challenge. The government's intervention is aimed at addressing the root causes of the problem, including poverty, insecurity, and inadequate school infrastructure.