Adamawa Traditional Rulers Pledge to Eliminate Out-of-School Children Syndrome
By Ojoma Yusuf,Yola
Traditional rulers in Adamawa State’s Central Senatorial District have vowed to eradicate the rising phenomenon of out-of-school children in their domains, pledging to take active roles in promoting education and restoring its value across communities.
Leading the charge is the Lamido of Adamawa and Chairman of the Council of Emirs and Chiefs, His Royal Highness Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha.
He, alongside other prominent traditional rulers, made the pledge on Tuesday during a high-level orientation meeting held in Yola. The event was jointly organized by the Adamawa State Government and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), with support from UNICEF.
The initiative aims to reposition traditional institutions as key advocates for education, especially in tackling the state’s alarming out-of-school figures. According to a UNICEF-supported report published in January 2024, Adamawa currently has an estimated 886,634 children out of school.
Despite strides made by the government to improve access to education, challenges such as poverty, poor infrastructure, low retention rates, and limited access to quality teaching continue to hinder progress.
The royal fathers pledged to use their influence to advocate for education, mobilize community participation, and hold stakeholders accountable for results.
They emphasized the urgency of addressing the root causes of the crisis and committed to collaborating with government and development partners to increase enrollment, retention, and completion rates in schools.
Speaking at the event, the Adamawa State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Garba Umar Pella, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to overhauling the sector.
He noted that Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has made education a top priority in both his first and second term, with increased investments aimed at enhancing access and quality.
Dr. Pella also disclosed that the government is currently reviewing education laws to make school attendance compulsory, hinting that parents who fail to enroll their children may soon face legal consequences.
He described the involvement of traditional rulers as a “major turning point,” adding that their support will strengthen community ownership and ensure sustainability of ongoing education reforms.
Also speaking, UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Bauchi, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, described education as a fundamental right and a critical pathway to a secure and prosperous future. She applauded the Adamawa State Government’s proactive measures and urged traditional institutions to continue supporting inclusive education efforts.
Dr. Rafique highlighted pressing issues such as low enrollment, gender disparities, and lack of inclusive learning environments, calling for deeper collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that no child in Adamawa is left behind.
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