President Tinubu Launches Project to Combat Out-of-School Children Crisis
In a decisive move to address the rising number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has approved the commencement of the DOTS project.
This initiative aims to overhaul the education sector, increase school enrolment, and ensure academic security for the nation’s children.
DOTS, an acronym for Data Repository, Out-of-School Children’s Education, Teacher Training and Development, and Skill Development and Acquisition, was unveiled by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, on Friday in Shabu, a suburb of Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The announcement coincided with the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of National Examinations Council (NECO) offices in Nasarawa, Abia, Sokoto, Taraba, Jigawa, Lagos, and Rivers States.
Dr. Sununu highlighted that the DOTS project addresses the critical issue of lacking coordinated, verifiable data across the education sector.
The initiative will enable the Federal Government to track students’ progress accurately, providing a data-driven framework for targeted interventions, particularly for out-of-school children, girls, and those with specific learning disabilities.
“Out-of-school children represent a major thematic area in President Bola Tinubu’s eight-point agenda, focusing on social welfare, health, and education,” said Dr. Sununu. “The President believes that the over 20 million out-of-school children we have now represent a group that demands our attention. Otherwise, miscreants could exploit them to cause trouble in Nigeria.”
President Tinubu is determined to reintegrate these 20 million children into the educational system, ensuring they receive proper education and skills to become self-sufficient and contribute meaningfully to society.
Commending the support from the governors of the seven states involved, Dr. Sununu expressed confidence that the new NECO offices would enhance the examination body’s capability to serve Nigerians better.
NECO Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, lauded the project as a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to educational infrastructure under President Tinubu’s leadership.
“The new state offices in Nasarawa, Abia, Sokoto, Taraba, Jigawa, Lagos, and Rivers States will serve as beacons of excellence in examination administration in Nigeria,” he said.
Prof. Wushishi extended his gratitude to the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd), and the Sangarin of Shabu, HRH Mahammood Bwallah II, for their royal support.
He emphasized that the project reflects the Federal Government’s dedication to infrastructure development in education and is one of seven capital projects for NECO included in this year’s budget.
“As we look to the future, we envision NECO not only as a leader in examination administration but also as a catalyst for educational transformation in Nigeria,” Prof. Wushishi added. “We are committed to leveraging technology and innovation to improve the quality and accessibility of our services.”
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Education, Muhammed Bala, reiterated the state government’s ongoing support for federal initiatives, including those in the education sector.
