The Universal Basic Education Commission has joined forces with traditional rulers and religious leaders to address Nigeria's ongoing out-of-school children challenge. The commission wants to use their community influence to locate children who are not in school and help them get enrolled.
According to a report by Punch, the initiative was confirmed in a statement released by the Office of the Executive Secretary of UBEC following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development.
Under this new pact, traditional and religious institutions will encourage parents and guardians to place a high value on learning. The partners plan to set up coordinating committees at local, state, and national levels to drive community campaigns. The project will also produce and distribute informational materials in Hausa, Fulfulde, and Yoruba, while working at the household level to place children into nearby classrooms.
The Executive Secretary of UBEC explained that dealing with the education deficit requires more than public funds and physical buildings. She noted that traditional and faith leaders hold significant power in shaping family choices and grassroots opinions. The initiative will also place special attention on girls, whose schooling is often disrupted by cultural and social challenges.
Accountability systems will be set up to reward communities, schools, and local leaders who record verifiable progress. The commission stated that success will depend on higher enrolment, regular attendance, and better academic results.
Nigeria continues to struggle with basic education access despite legal frameworks guaranteeing free primary schooling. A 2025 UNICEF report showed that about 10.2 million children were not attending school, with the North-West holding 45 per cent of the total and the North-East accounting for 28 per cent.
In terms of physical improvements, UBEC revealed that collaborations with education ministries and state boards led to the construction of over 4,900 classrooms and the renovation of existing structures. These efforts, alongside new water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, reached more than 2.3 million pupils by the close of 2025.
