…State targets 220,000 new pupils as out-of-school numbers soar past 787,000
Gombe State has launched an ambitious campaign to tackle its growing out-of-school population, with a targeted enrolment of 110,000 pupils ahead of the 2025/26 academic session — a number that could double under new proposals.
The 2025 Enrolment Drive Campaign, spearheaded by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and UNICEF, was formally launched during a high-level stakeholder engagement in Gombe.
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Enrolment Targets: 110,000 and Rising
According to SUBEB Chairman Mr Babaji Babadidi, each of Gombe’s 11 Local Government Areas (LGAs) has been tasked with enrolling at least 10,000 pupils, setting the state-wide target at 110,000.
However, in a bold move to accelerate progress, the Commissioner for Education, Professor Aishatu Maigari, proposed doubling the enrolment figure to 20,000 per LGA — raising the potential target to 220,000 pupils.
“We must be ambitious. Doubling our target is essential if we want to reverse this crisis and align with global education goals,” Prof. Maigari said.
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Out-of-School Numbers Alarming
Gombe State currently has 787,619 out-of-school children — up from earlier estimates of 500,000. The figure represents 13 per cent of the state’s population, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s national total of 13.5 million out-of-school children — the highest globally, according to UNICEF and the World Bank.
UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office representative, Mohammed Kudi, described the situation as a “collective emergency”, urging all stakeholders to treat it with urgency.
Root Causes: Poverty, Culture, and Insecurity
Key barriers identified during the engagement include poverty and economic hardship, cultural practices, including early marriage, Insecurity, particularly in rural areas. Inadequate infrastructure and school facilities, limited access for girls and children with disabilities.
Participants agreed that reversing these trends requires a whole-of-society approach.
Government Interventions and Planned Initiatives
The state government and its partners are implementing several measures to facilitate enrolment and retention; Improved school infrastructure, Recruitment and training of teachers, Provision of free uniforms, textbooks, and learning materials, Establishment of model Tsangaya and bilingual schools in each LGA to integrate Almajiri and out-of-school children, Child-friendly policies that ensure access for girls, children with disabilities, and rural populations
Retention, Not Just Enrolment
Officials stressed that enrolment alone is not enough. The campaign will also focus on retention, transition between primary and secondary education, completion of basic education
“Keeping children in school is as critical as enrolling them,” said Mr Babadidi. “We want to ensure no child is left behind.”
Community and Stakeholder Engagement
The enrolment drive will involve widespread public sensitisation, including: House-to-house visits, Radio jingles, Community town halls, Religious and market-based campaigns, Traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents, and civil society organisations are being urged to take ownership of the campaign.
