Bauchi Local Governments Form Committees to Address Out-of-School Children

All 20 Local Government Areas of Bauchi State have set up new community-based education committees as part of a renewed push to reduce the number of out-of-school children across the state.

The Chairman of the Bauchi chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Mahmood Babamaji, announced this during the 2025 World Children’s Day celebration organised by UNICEF in Bauchi.

Babamaji said the committees—comprising traditional rulers, religious leaders, and key community stakeholders—were established to boost school enrolment and strengthen basic education at the grassroots. “The initiative is progressing well,” he said.

He reaffirmed the commitment of local authorities to children’s development and commended Governor Bala Mohammed and the First Lady, Dr Aisha Bala Mohammed, for their sustained support for child-focused programmes. According to him, LGAs have contributed N100 million to the Child Nutrition Fund and have earmarked additional budgetary allocations for 2026 to support nutrition, immunisation, and other child welfare initiatives.

He also noted that LGAs recently validated as Open Defecation Free are working to maintain that status through improved budgeting, stronger monitoring systems, and better environmental oversight.

Commissioner for Education, Dr Muhammad Lawal Rimin-Zayan, restated the state government’s commitment to protecting children’s rights and urged young people to pursue their dreams with confidence. Representing UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, Health Specialist Dr Oluseyi Olosunde highlighted improvements in key child health indicators, noting that exclusive breastfeeding rates in Nigeria have climbed from 2% to 29%, while immunisation coverage increased from 13% to 39%. In Bauchi, the number of fully immunised children rose from 19% to 51%.

Children who spoke at the event called for safer schools, better learning environments, and greater investment in the education sector.

“Education is a right, not a privilege,” said student Aisha Abubakar Makama, urging the government to strengthen the Safe Schools Initiative.

The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Nigerian Bar Association, and other critical stakeholders.