By Abdullahi Inuwa
The National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education has come under public scrutiny after earmarking ₦8.4 billion in its proposed 2026 budget for road construction projects in Ogun, Katsina and Ekiti states, raising questions about the agency’s spending priorities.
Budget details indicate that the commission also made provisions for streetlights, ambulances and medical equipment—projects critics argue fall outside its core mandate of tackling the growing number of Almajiri and out-of-school children across the country.
The allocations have sparked debate among public policy analysts and civil society groups, who contend that the commission should prioritise classrooms, learning materials, teacher support, vocational training and other educational interventions directly linked to reducing the out-of-school population.
The controversy comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with one of the world’s highest numbers of out-of-school children, placing increasing pressure on education-focused agencies to channel public funds toward programmes that directly address the crisis.
The budget proposals are expected to face closer scrutiny as lawmakers continue deliberations on the 2026 Appropriation Bill, with stakeholders urging greater accountability and alignment between the commission’s expenditures and its statutory responsibilities.
Source: Arise Tv
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