Cynthia Ezegwu
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has secured the commitment of the Qatar Foundation to support Nigeria’s efforts in addressing the growing challenge of out-of-school children across the country.
Mrs Tinubu obtained the pledge during a meeting with the Founder and Chairperson of the Qatar Foundation, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned, in Doha, where discussions focused on reforming the Almajiri and out-of-school children education system.
The development was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the First Lady’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi.
The First Lady expressed concern over Nigeria’s alarming figure of over 15 million out-of-school children, describing it as the highest in the world. She explained that the Federal Government has adopted a transformative education model that integrates Islamic and formal learning while providing a safe and supportive environment for children.
“These schools will host and care for the children in a safe learning environment, which will include a mosque for worship, incorporate skills acquisition, and offer boarding facilities for students, as well as residences for Imams and caregivers,” Mrs Tinubu said.
According to her, the new approach aims to protect vulnerable children from exploitation while equipping them with life skills that would enable them to become productive citizens.
The First Lady also underscored the need for international partnerships to tackle the challenge effectively, noting that Nigeria cannot do it alone.
“Given the magnitude of this challenge and the competing demands on our national resources, Nigeria needs strategic partners. Your Highness represents precisely the kind of visionary partners who can help us make this dream a reality,” she told Sheikha Moza.
Mrs Tinubu commended the Qatar Foundation for its global impact, particularly through the establishment of Education City in Qatar, which hosts more than 40 schools, universities, and the Qatar National Library.
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She lauded Sheikha Moza for exceeding the target of enrolling 10 million marginalised children into schools globally, describing her as an inspiration to educational reformers worldwide.
Responding, Sheikha Moza pledged the Foundation’s support for Nigeria’s initiative, saying it would work closely with the Federal Ministry of Education to train teachers and school administrators for effective implementation of the programme.
Earlier, Mrs Tinubu toured the Qatar Foundation headquarters, where she was received by the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer, Yousif Al Na’am. She was also informed that 41 Nigerians have graduated from the Mohammed bin Khalifa University under the Foundation’s scholarship scheme.
The First Lady was accompanied by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed; and the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, Dr. Muhammad Sani Idris.