Parents, not government, responsible for children’s education — Ex-minister
AI Executive Briefing
Gemini Flash AI~45s readThe Barewa Old Boys’ Association 2026 Biennial Dialogue focused on the national crisis of out-of-school children, framing it as a major security and development emergency. While former Minister Aishatu Dukku emphasized parental duty as the primary solution, Governor Muhammadu Yahaya called for a coordinated, multi-sectoral government strategy to address the 18 million children currently out of school.
Context & Background
- ✦The dialogue addressed the intersection of poverty, insecurity, and structural inequalities that prevent millions of Nigerian children from accessing formal education.
- ✦There is a growing concern that the lack of economic opportunities for graduates is leading to unemployment, drug addiction, and potential radicalization.
Key Figures & Named Entities
•Aishatu Dukku, former Minister of State for Education, maintains that education is a parental issue, not a government one.•Muhammadu Yahaya, Gombe State Governor and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, reports 18 million out-of-school children and 400 new primary schools built in Gombe.
Outlook & Next Steps
Governor Yahaya pledged to present the dialogue's recommendations to the Northern States Governors’ Forum for collective action, while the Barewa Old Boys’ Association committed to supporting scholarships and mentorship programs.
Key Takeaways
AI Summary- Former Minister Aishatu Dukku asserts that parental responsibility is the primary driver for ensuring children's education, arguing that government intervention should only be supplementary.
- Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya classifies the out-of-school children crisis as a national security emergency, noting that approximately 18 million children are currently outside the formal system.
- Experts and officials emphasize that the crisis is compounded by a lack of post-graduation employment, which risks pushing educated youth toward criminality, drug abuse, and extremism.
Key Facts:Current administration: Gombe State has constructed approximately 400 primary schools under the administration of Governor Muhammadu Yahaya.Current estimate: Nigeria currently has an estimated 18 million children outside the formal education system.
Editorial Excerpt
Former Minister of State for Education, Aishatu Dukku, has said parents should bear the primary responsibility for ensuring that their children receive formal education, arguing that government…
Frequently Asked Questions About This Story
What is Aishatu Dukku’s stance on the government's role in education?
Dukku believes that education is primarily a parental responsibility and that the government should only step in to help after parents have fulfilled their fundamental obligations.
Why does Governor Muhammadu Yahaya consider out-of-school children a security concern?
He argues that educational exclusion perpetuates poverty and leaves young people vulnerable to criminal exploitation, extremist tendencies, and lack of economic productivity.
