Traditional rulers from Adamawa State’s Central Senatorial District have pledged to take the lead in addressing the growing number of out-of-school children in their communities, declaring education as a renewed priority in their domains.
The commitment was made during a high-level orientation meeting held Tuesday in Yola, with the Lamido of Adamawa and Chairman of the Council of Emirs and Chiefs, His Royal Highness Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, leading the charge alongside other prominent royal fathers.
The event was jointly organized by the Adamawa State Government and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), with support from UNICEF. It aimed to reposition traditional leaders as central advocates for education reform and community-based solutions.
A UNICEF-supported report released in January 2024 estimates that over 886,000 children in Adamawa State are currently out of school. The crisis has been linked to poverty, inadequate infrastructure, gender disparities, and a lack of access to quality education.
In response, the traditional leaders vowed to use their influence to mobilize their communities, raise awareness, and hold stakeholders accountable for reversing the trend.
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They emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to address the root causes of the education crisis and pledged to support government and development partner initiatives aimed at boosting school enrollment, retention, and completion.
Speaking at the meeting, Adamawa State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Garba Umar Pella, reiterated the state government’s commitment to educational reforms. He noted that the Fintiri administration has made education a top priority, with increased investments to expand access and improve quality.
Dr. Pella also disclosed plans to review existing legislation to make basic education compulsory, adding that parents who fail to enroll their children may face legal sanctions. He described the involvement of traditional rulers as a “turning point,” saying their leadership would foster community ownership of education initiatives.
UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Bauchi, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, also addressed the gathering, describing education as a fundamental right and the bedrock of every child’s future. She commended the Adamawa State Government’s proactive steps and urged traditional leaders to sustain their commitment to inclusive learning.
Dr. Rafique further highlighted persistent challenges such as gender inequality, a shortage of qualified teachers, and poor learning environments. She called for stronger partnerships among all stakeholders to build a more equitable and resilient education system across the state.
