Nigeria Launches Innovative Mapping Initiative to Tackle Out-of-School Children Crisis

The Federal Government has officially adopted a household mapping model pioneered by Kaduna State to accurately identify and address the issue of out-of-school children nationwide. 

This landmark decision, announced by Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, shifts from reliance on estimates to data-driven strategies aimed at returning millions of children to classrooms across Nigeria.

In collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics, the ministry will conduct a comprehensive household mapping exercise across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. This initiative aims to pinpoint the exact number of out-of-school children and their households, facilitating targeted interventions.

Alausa emphasized the significance of this approach, stating, "With this exercise, we can accurately locate these children, allowing us to work closely with state governments to ensure they return to school." The initiative is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, reinforcing a commitment to education reform and ensuring no child is left behind.

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna praised the initiative as a model for effective education planning, highlighting the stark contrast between previous estimates and actual data revealed through the state's mapping exercise. As Nigeria grapples with a staggering number of out-of-school children, this new methodology promises to enhance educational access and equity across the nation.