University of Ibadan Strengthens Ties with National Commission to Reform Almajiri Education

University of Ibadan (UI) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, affirmed the institution's commitment to addressing the crisis of Almajiri and out-of-school children, pledging its resources to support national educational reforms. He made this statement while hosting Dr. Muhammed Sani Idris, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education, during a courtesy visit.

Professor Adebowale emphasized that UI, as a comprehensive institution alignedThe University of Ibadan (UI) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, has reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to advancing research collaborations aimed at tackling the Almajiri and out-of-school children crisis in Nigeria. This statement was made as Professor Adebowale received the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education, Dr. Muhammed Sani Idris, and his team during a courtesy visit.

Professor Adebowale emphasized that UI, Nigeria’s oldest university, was an ideal partner for this collaboration, given its commitment to mobilizing human and material resources to address societal challenges. He noted that addressing the Almajiri and out-of-school children issues aligns with UI's vision of being a center of knowledge and resource mobilization for the nation.

“UI is well-prepared to support the National Commission’s efforts, particularly in line with our mission to meet societal needs,” the Vice-Chancellor remarked. He further underscored that sustainable reform of the Almajiri system must begin with addressing family dynamics, as he believes family is fundamental to child development and societal values. “Parents must not bring forth children they cannot care for, as neglect renders them vulnerable,” Professor Adebowale stressed, adding that solutions will require sensitization, cultural advocacy, and robust legal frameworks.

Dr. Muhammed Sani Idris highlighted the urgency of this partnership, revealing that Nigeria ranks second globally in out-of-school children, with an estimated 30 million Almajiris nationwide. He explained that the alarming rate of out-of-school youth has heightened national insecurity, as many of these children are vulnerable to exploitation by insurgents and criminal groups.

“Our mission, as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is to reintegrate 10 million children into the school system and reform the Almajiri model,” Dr. Idris said. He thanked UI’s leadership for supporting this vision and urged Professor Adebowale to facilitate collaboration with the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.

Dr. Idris also requested that UI nominate experts to assist with a November retreat, where stakeholders will discuss best practices for addressing Nigeria’s educational challenges. He emphasized that with UI’s comprehensive research capabilities and regional influence, the partnership could effectively shape policies to combat the social and economic ramifications of the Almajiri crisis.

The University of Ibadan’s readiness to support the Commission reinforces its role as a hub for educational development in Africa, Professor Adebowale concluded, promising that disciplines across the university would be mobilized to address this national priority. with the Pan African University, is well-positioned to lead in providing solutions to the educational challenges posed by the Almajiri system. He stated that family plays a pivotal role in this societal issue, calling for increased parental responsibility to reduce children’s vulnerability and promote sustainable social values.

Dr. Idris, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's mandate to reintegrate 10 million out-of-school children, highlighted Nigeria's urgent need for reform. He revealed that over 30 million Almajiri children remain on the streets, a situation exacerbating security risks through vulnerability to extremist recruitment. The Executive Secretary requested UI’s support for an upcoming national retreat aimed at creating an actionable strategy, urging the involvement of UI’s expertise to guide policy and training initiatives.