By Ibrahim Musa Mustapha
The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has intensified efforts to restore and strengthen education in the North-East by supporting reforms in the Almajiri education system and providing scholastic materials to state governments across the region.
The intervention is part of a broader strategy under the leadership of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEDC, Mohammed Goni Alkali, to address the challenge of out-of-school children in the region, which has been severely impacted by years of insurgency and insecurity.
Speaking on the initiative, Alkali said the programmes were aligned with national education policies aimed at promoting inclusive, structured and quality learning for vulnerable children, particularly those within the Almajiri system.
According to him, the reform of the Almajiri education system is designed to integrate formal education with moral and vocational training, thereby equipping children with essential skills and improving their prospects for meaningful participation in society.
In addition, Alkali said the NEDC had facilitated the distribution of critical scholastic materials, including books and learning aids, to support ongoing enrolment and school-retention campaigns being implemented by state governments in the region.
He noted that the provision of educational materials was intended to strengthen existing education programmes, reduce barriers to learning, and encourage parents and guardians to enrol and retain their children in school.
Alkali reiterated the NEDC’s commitment to rebuilding the education sector as a foundation for peace, recovery and long-term development in the North-East.
He expressed optimism that sustained investment in education would empower communities, address social vulnerabilities and contribute to lasting stability in the region.
