Tinubu Pledges to Solve Nigeria’s Out-of-School Children Crisis During Meeting with Macron
By Okafor Joseph Afam | November 29, 2024
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reassured French President Emmanuel Macron of his administration’s commitment to addressing the country’s out-of-school children crisis, a challenge that has long hindered Nigeria’s development. Tinubu, accompanied by his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, made the remarks during a state visit to the Palais des Élysée in Paris on Thursday.
President Tinubu emphasized that his administration is prioritizing education as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s development, stating, “The future of our nation depends on fostering a well-educated population.” He outlined his government’s strategies to reintegrate school-age children into classrooms through initiatives aimed at return-to-class programmes and skills development for older students who have been out of school for extended periods.
During the meeting, Tinubu stressed the importance of coupling traditional education with skill-building to empower young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s growth. He noted that insecurity in some regions has exacerbated the issue of out-of-school children but assured Macron that his administration is working to restore peace.
“We are gradually repopulating classrooms, and skills development is essential to bridge the gaps,” Tinubu said. He further highlighted ongoing measures to improve national security, which include using “kinetic strategies” to create stability, enabling children to safely attend school.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu engaged in discussions with France’s First Lady, Brigitte Macron, emphasizing the critical role of collaboration in promoting education, especially for vulnerable populations such as girls and children in conflict-affected regions.
In a statement released after the meeting, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, reiterated the administration’s commitment to education reform. “President Tinubu is determined to return out-of-school children to classrooms while equipping them for the future. For those who are older and have missed years of schooling, we are promoting skills development to ensure they are not left behind.”
Addressing Nigeria’s food security challenges, Tinubu noted that the country had experienced a good agricultural harvest this year and that more farmers are returning to their fields as security improves. “With continued effort, we will achieve greater stability. No child should go to bed hungry in the 21st century,” he declared.
The meeting underscored the Nigerian government’s determination to work with international partners like France to address critical developmental issues, with a shared vision of creating opportunities for all children. Tinubu’s pledge is expected to strengthen bilateral ties and set a roadmap for addressing education and security challenges in Nigeria.
