By Ngozi Nwankwo
National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education, NCAOOSCE, has clarified that projects in its 2026 budget that appear outside its statutory mandate are constituency projects assigned to it by the National Assembly.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Commission said the projects were included under the long-standing practice of allocating constituency projects to Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, for execution.
It noted that all such projects assigned to it in the Appropriation Act would be implemented in line with extant laws, financial regulations and due procurement processes.
The Commission, however, stressed that the inclusion of the projects does not change its core responsibilities.
“Our primary mandate remains the coordination of national efforts to reform the Almajiri education system and address the challenge of out-of-school children,” it said.
NCAOOSCE said it remains committed to expanding access to quality education, strengthening Almajiri education, supporting state governments, and implementing programmes for vulnerable children nationwide.
The Commission disclosed that it has identified and profiled more than 700,000 out-of-school children, established 119 learning centres, and sustained ward-to-ward advocacy and community mobilisation campaigns.
It added that it is also pursuing full implementation of the National Policy on Almajiri Education to reform the system and address associated social challenges.
NCAOOSCE reaffirmed that addressing the plight of Almajiri and out-of-school children remains its top priority.
It also acknowledged the support of the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, and other stakeholders, and pledged to continue programmes that ensure every Nigerian child has access to quality education.
