Africa HCD Plus Sounds Alarm Over Rising Out-of-School Rates in Nasarawa

Photo: participants at the stakeholders engagement in Lafiya.

By Muhammed Ogwu Lafia

 

The Africa Human Capital Development Plus has expressed deep concern over the high rate of out-of-school children across the 13 local government areas of Nasarawa State.

 

The Chief Executive Officer of Africa HCD Plus, Mrs. Finda Koroma, raised the alarm during a one-day stakeholder engagement involving top government officials and traditional rulers in Lafia, the state capital, on Wednesday.

 

She reiterated HCD Plus’s commitment to prioritizing the education and skill development of the girl child and to reintegrating out-of-school children in Nasarawa State back into the classroom.

 

Mrs. Koroma, represented by the Head of Finance and Administration, Margaret Omanibe, described the alarming rate of out-of-school children in the state as a “ticking time bomb.” She urged stakeholders to intensify efforts to ensure every child receives quality education to prevent future threats to communities in the state.

 

She also outlined the five key pillars of Africa HCD Plus, which include Health and Health Security; Nutrition and Food Security; Education, Skills Development, and Labour Participation; Entrepreneurship, Financial Inclusion, and Digital Economy; and Gender Transformative Human Capital Development.

 

Mrs. Koroma stated, “We are here in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital, to demonstrate our continued commitment to supporting the states of Nasarawa, Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos in consolidating and scaling up efforts to improve Human Capital Development outcomes in these jurisdictions.

 

“Based on our data, Nigeria is among the world’s 20 nations with the highest number of out-of-school children, estimating in the millions, with more female incidences than male.”

 

She added, “The negative implications of the Almajiri system for preparing children for future productivity are a particular concern. This system has often resulted in children being marginalized from mainstream education due to insufficient resources, lack of formal curriculum, and socio-economic challenges.”

 

Mrs. Koroma further highlighted that gender disparities persist in girls’ access to education, as they often face unique challenges such as early marriages, household responsibilities, and cultural biases favoring boys.

 

While appreciating the Federal Government of Nigeria for its support in advancing the Human Capital Development agenda nationwide, Mrs. Koroma noted that a 2021 multiple indicator cluster survey suggested that a percentage of women aged 20 to 24 in Nigeria marry before the age of 15, a matter of significant concern for the organization.

 

Earlier, the Nasarawa State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the state’s Human Capital Development Agency, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, emphasized that HCD was a top priority for Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration.

 

Represented by the Director General of the Agency, Mrs. Habiba Balarabe Suleiman, Dr. Akabe noted that the agency had expanded its thematic areas to six: Health and Nutrition; Education; Labour Force Participation; Youth; Social Development; and Local Government and Community Development.

 

Dr. Akabe revealed that through Human Capital Development initiatives, many residents, including girls, would receive better education and empowerment in the shortest possible time. He said, “The issue of out-of-school children needs to be resolved as soon as possible. We are talking about a large population of people who lack both formal education and necessary skills.

 

“For the girl child, we understand that some challenges have traditional or religious underpinnings, whether properly presented or misconstrued. We need to address these to create a society where everyone has an equal platform to contribute and benefit.”

 

Dr. Akabe praised Africa HCD Plus for its generous grant of $30,000 for implementing the agenda in the state. He assured that the organization’s efforts had made significant progress, with encouraging responses from stakeholders.

 

Consultant of Africa HCD Plus, Mrs. Maryam Uwais, highlighted the adverse effects of early marriages on girls’ education and urged stakeholders to advocate for policies that delay marriage until girls are better prepared mentally and physically. She said, “There are many consequences of early marriages that we often overlook. Delaying marriage does not mean it won’t happen; it ensures better futures for the girls.”

 

Also speaking at the event, the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd), represented by Ubangari Lafia, Usman Isa Baba, affirmed the Emirate’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state.

 

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