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Out-of-School Children Crisis: Nigeria’s Future is bleaking-Group

Published

1 year ago

September 10, 2024

Federal and state governments have been tasked to urgently address Nigeria’s worrisome spike in out-of-school children crises to save the country’s future.

Experts and citizens made the call during an anti-corruption radio program, PUBLIC CONSCIENCE, produced by the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development, PRIMORG, in Abuja.

This is coming on the heels of two recent investigative reports published by Premium Times exposing how poverty, shambolic education system, dilapidated infrastructure, tortuous teaching, and learning environment continue to worsen the out-of-school children scourge in Niger and Nasarawa states.

Nigeria currently has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, with only 63% of primary school children regularly attending schools, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Speaking during the radio program, Chief Executive Officer of Gender Consult Joyce Ahmadu called on President Bola Tinubu and the 36 state governors to take prompt steps in tackling the rising numbers of out-of-school children, admonishing that high priority must be placed on improving basic education.

Ahmadu warned that Nigeria’s future will be bleak if leaders fail to nip the out-of-school children problem in the bud without delay, as primary and secondary school education is the bedrock of every nation’s development”.

She knocked on state governments that have failed to provide matching grants for implementing Universal Basic Education, UBE in their states. Adding that the action ensures the future of the Nigerian child remains in jeopardy, with girls mainly affected.

She noted that corruption is a major issue that must be dealt with if education budgetary allocations at federal and state levels are to be properly put to good use.

Similarly, a board member of the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), Abdullahi Sale, called out state governments for their inability to prioritize the education of citizens as insecurity, infrastructure, and teachers’ remuneration are still not on the front burner.

Sale, while stressing that Nigeria needs humongous investment in education to catch up with the rest of the world, also lamented the failure of some state governments to access UBE funds as of July 2024. He, however, raised fear that more states will not access the education funds after the federal government increased the matching grant to N3.5 billion.

On her part, data journalist and researcher Kafilat Taiwo urged federal and state governments to collaborate with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in addressing the myriad of problems bedeviling primary and secondary education, especially in rural areas.

Taiwo, buttressing the findings of the investigation, stated that “poverty, insecurity, dilapidated infrastructure, poor welfare, and others are some of the issues booming the rate of out-of-school children in Niger state and added that the federal government’s discontinuation of the school feeding program has also caused a sharp drop in the number of children that attend school in rural communities.

NMCO DG, Bags CIML Best Civil Servant Leadership Award

Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership, CIML, Commonwealth Kentucky, USA has bestowed its Best Public Servant Leader Award of Excellence in Nigeria on the Director General, DG, of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, NMCO, Engr Obadiah Simon Nkom.

The award presentation took place at a Management and Leadership program organized by the institute, according to a statement signed by the head, of Press and Public Relations, NMCO, Sade Fatoke.

Engr Nkom was also inducted as a Fellow and Member, of the Board of Regents at the event with the theme: ‘Leadership, Strategic Management, and Policy Solutions: Advancing Environmental Sustainability in Nigeria’ held at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja on August 29, 2024, the statement added.

According to the Institute, the Director General is valued for his various reforms in the Mining Cadastre Office, particularly the automation of the Cadastre system to online and real-time Mineral Title Administration and Management in line with best practice.

This, it added, has cascaded to a robust mining sector, impacting positively the economy of the country.

The Institute further noted that Engr Nkom’s passion for human development, youth empowerment, and skill acquisition made him stand out for the leadership award.

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Amb Lion Ogorry Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Sahara Reporters, Sowore For Misleading and Malicious Publication Endangering National Security

Published

9 hours ago

November 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry, a renowned public advocacy practitioner and activist, today announced the filing of a high-profile lawsuit against Sahara Reporters Ltd. and its publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The suit, numbered FCT/HC/CV/4767/2025, accuses the defendants of publishing a false, malicious, and reckless article that violates Nigeria’s Constitution, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, and other laws protecting public discourse, national security, and public order.

The originating summons, filed on November 24, 2025, stems from a Sahara Reporters article titled
“EXCLUSIVE: How Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Maintains Contact With Bandit Leaders, Ordered Them To Compel Communities To Vote For APC—Former Aide,” published on November 19, 2025.

Ambassador Ogorry alleges that the publication contains grave, unfounded accusations against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, claiming he maintains illicit contacts with bandit leaders, orders communities to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and engages in activities that undermine counter-terrorism efforts.

These claims, according to the suit, are not only false but also fabricated to incite alarm, hatred, and ill-will, while endangering national security and public safety.

In his affidavit supporting the summons, Ambassador Ogorry, a Nigerian citizen and resident of Abuja with a long-standing commitment to public order and lawful civic discourse, emphasized that the article was disseminated widely across Sahara Reporters’ website, social media channels, X.com (Twitter) account, Facebook pages, WhatsApp broadcasts, and other platforms. He described the publication as a blatant violation of Section 39(3)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits speech that endangers public safety, national security, and public order. Furthermore, it contravenes Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by disseminating false, misleading, and harmful information capable of causing alarm or ill-will.

“The defendants’ reckless actions have not only tarnished the reputation of a dedicated public servant but have also compromised ongoing military operations against banditry and terrorism in Nigeria’s North-West region,” said Ambassador Ogorry. “This publication promotes distrust, exposes the Minister to risks, and undermines the morale of our armed forces engaged in counter-terrorism. It is a direct assault on our national security and the freedom of expression that must be balanced with responsibility.”

The lawsuit seeks the following reliefs from the court:
– A declaration that the publication is false, misleading, malicious, and not protected speech under Section 39(1) of the Constitution (as amended).

– A declaration that it falls within restricted speech under Section 39(3)(a), endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
– A declaration that it violates Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by prohibiting false, harmful, or misleading information.

– AN ORDER OF INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants, their agents, or privies from further publishing, distributing, circulating, or causing to be circulated the said false publication or any other malicious publication especially as it relates to and against the person of Defence Minister, Dr. Matawalle.

– An order directing the defendants to issue a public retraction of the publication and publish a full apology on their website and social media channels for 14 consecutive days.

– General and exemplary damages of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) for the frivolous, false, and malicious publication geared toward endangering public safety, national security, and public order.

Ambassador Ogorry highlighted that the article, based on unverified claims from an alleged “former senior aide,” lacks any official record or evidence, demonstrating the defendants’ disregard for truth and ethical journalism. He urged the court to address this as a matter of urgent national importance, citing precedents such as President F.R.N. v. ISA (2017) and Guardian Newspapers v. AIEH (2011), which affirm that freedom of expression does not protect reckless publications that threaten security.

“This lawsuit is not just about correcting a falsehood; it’s about safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, protecting public officials from baseless attacks, and ensuring media accountability,” Ambassador Ogorry added. “Sahara Reporters and Omoyele Sowore must be held responsible for their role in spreading dangerous misinformation that could fuel terrorism and disrupt public order.”

The case is set for hearing in the Abuja Judicial Division, and Ambassador Ogorry expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to uphold justice and constitutional principles.

About Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry is a public advocacy practitioner, activist, and Nigerian citizen dedicated to promoting national security, public order, and lawful civic discourse. With a focus on protecting public discourse from malicious interference, he advocates for responsible journalism and governance.

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