Obasanjo Warns of Security Risks from Nigeria's Out-of-School Children
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed concern over the security risks associated with the over 20 million out-of-school children in Nigeria. He highlighted that these vulnerable children are prone to exploitation by criminal groups, such as bandits and insurgents, which contributes to the country's security challenges.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised alarms about the security risks linked to the alarming number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, which exceeds 20 million. This situation, he argues, poses a significant threat to the nation’s stability, as these vulnerable children are susceptible to exploitation by criminal groups, including bandits and insurgents.
During a recent discussion, Obasanjo highlighted that the high rate of school dropouts contributes to various security challenges facing the country. He emphasized that uneducated children are at greater risk of being lured into criminal activities, exacerbating the already precarious security landscape in Nigeria.
To address this crisis, Obasanjo proposed leveraging artificial intelligence and distance learning as effective solutions. By harnessing these technological tools, it may be possible to provide educational opportunities for out-of-school children, thereby helping to mitigate the associated security risks.
The former president's insights underline a critical issue that, if addressed, could lead to significant improvements in Nigeria’s future stability and development. The need for immediate action to reintegrate these children into the educational system has never been more urgent.
