Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has identified the growing number of out-of-school children as the major challenge confronting Nigeria, rather than insecurity.
Omokri made the assertion during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, where he stressed the need for greater attention to the country’s education crisis.
According to him, the number of Nigerian children who are not in school represents a more fundamental challenge to the country’s future than insecurity.
He, however, acknowledged the security challenges confronting the country, while maintaining that addressing the education gap should be treated as a major national priority.
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Omokri said the administration of President Bola Tinubu was taking steps to improve the situation and address the growing number of children who remain outside the formal education system.
He noted that ensuring children have access to quality education would be critical to Nigeria’s long-term development, as failure to educate a large proportion of the younger population could have serious consequences for the country’s economic and social future.
The ambassador-designate’s comments come amid ongoing concerns over Nigeria’s out-of-school population, particularly in northern states where insecurity, poverty and displacement have contributed to disruptions in access to education.
His remarks also come against the backdrop of renewed concerns over insecurity across parts of the country, including attacks on communities, abductions and disruptions to educational activities.
Omokri’s position, however, places the education crisis at the centre of the country’s development debate, arguing that the future of Nigeria depends significantly on how effectively the government addresses the number of children currently excluded from education.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts by the Tinubu administration could help improve access to education and reduce the number of out-of-school children across the country.