The Senate has resolved to convene a national summit to address the growing issue of out-of-school children in Nigeria, following discussions with President Bola Tinubu. The decision was reached during plenary after the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on Education (Basic & Secondary) on the urgent need to tackle the problem.

Presenting the report, Senator Usman Lawal Adamu (Kaduna Central), chairman of the committee, revealed that over two million children have been enrolled in school within the past year, thanks to collaborative efforts by government agencies addressing the crisis.

During the session, more than 20 lawmakers voiced concerns, describing the out-of-school children problem as a “ticking time bomb” that requires solutions beyond federal interventions. Several senators emphasized the importance of stronger collaboration between the federal and state governments, particularly regarding access to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funds.
Some lawmakers proposed that a significant portion of the 2025 budget should be allocated specifically to address the out-of-school children crisis.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed alarm over the growing issue, warning that out-of-school children could become potential recruits for banditry if the situation remains unchecked.

Following deliberations, the Senate unanimously adopted the resolution to organize a national summit, aiming to develop sustainable solutions to end the crisis and ensure that every child in Nigeria has access to quality education.