Almajiri Commission Explains Controversial Budget Items, Says They Are Constituency Projects

By Jane Salihu

The National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education (NCAOOSCE) has clarified that projects contained in its 2026 budget which appear to fall outside its statutory responsibilities are National Assembly constituency projects assigned to the Commission for implementation under the federal appropriation process.

The Commission made the clarification on Tuesday following public reactions to some items captured in its 2026 Appropriation Act, stressing that the projects do not alter its legal mandate or core responsibilities.

According to the Commission, constituency projects are routinely allocated to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) through the annual Appropriation Act for execution, in line with established federal budgetary practice.

It explained that once such projects are included in the approved budget and assigned to the Commission, they become part of its implementation responsibilities and will be executed in accordance with existing procurement laws, financial regulations and other due process requirements.

Despite the concerns raised over the budget items, the Commission maintained that its primary responsibility remains the reform of the Almajiri education system and tackling the growing challenge of out-of-school children across Nigeria.

It said its ongoing interventions are focused on expanding access to quality education, supporting states in implementing Almajiri education programmes and coordinating initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and future of vulnerable children.

The Commission disclosed that it has already profiled more than 700,000 out-of-school children nationwide and established 119 learning centres across the country as part of efforts to reintegrate affected children into formal and non-formal education.

It added that ward-to-ward advocacy, community mobilisation and the implementation of the National Policy on Almajiri Education remain central to its strategy for addressing the root causes of out-of-school children and reducing associated social challenges.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to delivering on its statutory mandate with the support of the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, and other stakeholders, assuring Nigerians that efforts to provide every child with access to quality education would remain its top priority.