Shettima Raises Alarm Over 8 Million Out-of-School Children in North-West
By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul
KANO — Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday raised concern over the growing number of out-of-school children in the North-West, revealing that more than eight million children in the region are currently outside the classroom.
Shettima made the disclosure in a speech delivered on his behalf by Deputy Senate President Senator Barau I. Jibrin at the High-Level North-West Policy Dialogue on Reducing Multidimensional Poverty through Innovative Financing and a Scaled Social Protection System held in Kano on Wednesday.
According to the Vice President, the North-West remains a critical region in Nigeria’s development agenda due to its population, economic potential and youthful workforce, but continues to face serious challenges in education, healthcare, nutrition and income security.
“The burden is grave: we inherited deprivations across health, education, nutrition, and income security; over 8 million children are out of school; maternal mortality remains frighteningly high; under-five mortality is painful; and child stunting affects more than half of our children in some communities,” he said.
Shettima said poverty should no longer be measured only by lack of income, stressing that it is also reflected in poor access to education, healthcare, food and opportunities.
“Poverty is the child who cannot read at ten, the mother who approaches childbirth with fear, the household unsure of tomorrow’s food, and the young mind outside the classroom while the world races towards artificial intelligence and a knowledge economy,” he stated.
The Vice President reiterated the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to strengthening social protection programmes aimed at supporting vulnerable families and protecting citizens from the effects of poverty, insecurity and economic shocks.
He also advocated the introduction of a Universal Child Benefit scheme, describing it as a practical intervention that could improve nutrition, increase school enrolment and help reduce child labour and early marriage.
“The child is the most honest measure of any society. When a child is hungry, the future is hungry; when a child is out of school, the nation is out of position,” Shettima said.
He urged governors, policymakers, development partners and other stakeholders to translate discussions into concrete actions that would improve the lives of children and vulnerable households across the North-West.