Emirs, Chiefs Vow to Eradicate Out-of-School Syndrome in Adamawa

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a bold move to combat the staggering number of out-of-school children in Adamawa State, traditional rulers from the central senatorial zone, led by the Lamido of Adamawa and Chairman of the Council of Emirs and Chiefs, His Royal Highness Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, have pledged to ensure no child in their domains is denied education.

The commitment was made during a high-level orientation meeting in Yola on Tuesday, organized by the Adamawa State Government and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), with support from UNICEF.

‎Despite recent educational reforms, over 255,000 children in Adamawa remain out of school, grappling with challenges like inadequate infrastructure, learning gaps, low retention, and limited access to quality education.

The traditional rulers vowed to leverage their cultural influence to drive advocacy, boost community participation, and enhance accountability to address these issues. Barr. Musa Abdul, the district head of Karewa, represented the Lamido at the event, reinforcing the pledge.

‎Over 255,000 children in Adamawa remain out of school, grappling with challenges like inadequate infrastructure, learning gaps, low retention, and limited access to quality education

‎Dr. Garba Umar Pella, Adamawa’s Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, hailed the involvement of traditional leaders as a “major turning point.”

He highlighted Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s prioritization of education, with significant investments to improve access and quality. Dr. Pella also revealed plans to enforce compulsory education laws, warning that parents failing to enroll their children could face jail time.

‎UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Bauchi, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, described education as a fundamental right and praised Adamawa’s proactive approach. She urged stakeholders to address gaps like low enrollment, inadequate teaching capacity, and gender inequality to build an equitable education system.

‎The event concluded with a unified resolution from the royal fathers to champion education and support policies to eliminate the out-of-school crisis, signaling a transformative step toward inclusive education in Adamawa.