Lagos, Nigeria – As Nigeria celebrate Children’s Day dis year, experts don raise alarm on di increasing out-of-school children situation wey dey plague di country. Dem dey call for urgent action to salvage di future of di nation. According to United Nations Children’s Fund, about 18.3 million children for Nigeria no dey school, wey experts talk say na ticking time bomb for national development if dem no tackle am.
Professor Lai Olurode, wey be Sociology professor, don describe dis crisis as “national emergency” wey require bold and comprehensive policies. He talk say, “To take a large number of children off di streets demands concerted efforts, synergy, and communication among strategic stakeholders.” He also advocate for di return of free and compulsory education, ka if dem remember di good times of Chief Obafemi Awolowo for Western Nigeria and Lateef Jakande for Lagos State.
Olurode advise say, make dem improve teacher welfare and fix dilapidated school infrastructure. He stress say, “Di falling roof must be fixed and di falling wall mended,” as no be wetin we go allow vulnerable children dey return go street.
For him own part, Mr. Raji Oladimeji, wey be Chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers for Oyo State, don talk say make dem involve community leaders and parents for dis education matter, as dem need promote di importance of education. Oladimeji advocate for di development of culturally sensitive curricula wey go address di needs of di child and ensure sey all learners fit access am.
“Di government need prioritize funding for education,” he add. “Dis go include infrastructure development, teacher training, and policies wey go make tuition free or subsidised.” He talk say, dem suppose also provide enough classrooms, libraries, sanitation facilities, and transportation options to ease challenges of schooling.”
Former Nigeria Labour Congress Chairman for Oyo State, Mr. Waheed Olojede, come describe di situation as “unacceptable” and blame government for di rise for child illiteracy. “Our education system must emphasise pragmatism and promote functionality,” he add.
Executive Director of Hope For Second Chance Foundation, Ibukunoluwa Otesile, warn say Nigeria fit fail their next generation if dem no take action now. “Over 18 million Nigerian children dey out of school,” she talk. “Their gifts dey silenced, their dreams dey delayed—not because they no get ability, but because of barriers wey dem no create.”
Otesile highlight poverty, insecurity, family instability, and lack of access to inclusive education as di main factors wey dey contribute to dis crisis. She dey call for collective action from government, civil society, religious institutions, and private sector to rescue di children.
Hon. Oluwafowokanmi Oluwafemi Adebayo, wey be Vice Chairman of di Oyo State House of Assembly’s Committee on Basic Education, suggest make local governments create informal learning centres for di street children. “Dem go suppose offer free lunch—but only after di children attend at least one hour of basic lessons each day,” he propose, adding say, “Government must take school to dem to save our nation’s future.”
Dr. Tunde Odekunle, retired Director from Oyo State Ministry of Education, call for public sensitisation campaigns to help increase school enrollment. Him tok say, “We need vigorous sensitization to encourage parents to send their children to school, particularly in areas wey dey most affected.”
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