Almajiri commission defends contentious initiatives in 2026 budget as legislative constituency development schemes

The National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education has shed light on the inclusion of certain projects in its 2026 Appropriation Act, stating that these projects are National Assembly constituency projects assigned to the Commission for implementation, which may appear unrelated to its core responsibilities.

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Following heightened public interest and concerns over the presence of such projects in the 2026 federal budget, the commission deemed it necessary to provide clarification on the matter, as conveyed through a statement issued by Nura Muhammad, Senior Adviser on Media and Communications to the Executive Secretary.

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The statement explained that the incorporation of these projects into the Appropriation Act is in line with the established federal budget practice of assigning constituency projects to Ministries, Departments and Agencies for execution, thereby constituting lawful implementation responsibilities for the commission.

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All projects assigned to the commission will be executed in strict adherence to existing laws, financial regulations, and due procurement procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

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Despite the inclusion of these projects, the commission's statutory mandate remains unchanged, with its primary focus on reforming the Almajiri education system and addressing the challenge of out-of-school children nationwide, as reaffirmed by the agency.

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The commission is committed to expanding access to quality education, strengthening Almajiri education, supporting state governments and stakeholders, and implementing programmes aimed at improving the lives of millions of vulnerable Nigerian children.

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The agency has made notable achievements, including the identification and profiling of over 700,000 out-of-school children, the establishment of 119 learning centres, and the implementation of the National Policy on Almajiri Education to reform the system and address associated social challenges.

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The commission has also intensified ward-to-ward advocacy and community mobilisation efforts, further demonstrating its commitment to addressing the plight of Almajiri and out-of-school children.

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Addressing the plight of these children remains the commission's foremost priority, with a renewed commitment to pursuing its mandate and advancing programmes designed to ensure access to quality education for every Nigerian child.

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The commission acknowledged the support of key stakeholders, including the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, in its efforts to provide opportunities for Nigerian children to realise their full potential.