Commission Worries Over Child Participation In Protests

The National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education (NCAOOSCE) has expressed concern about children’s involvement in the country’s ongoing protests.

Nura Muhammad, the special assistant for media and communications to the Executive Secretary/Spokesperson of the Commission, stated this in a press statement issued yesterday.

While acknowledging the fundamental right to freedom of assembly and expression, the Commission strongly condemned the exposure of children to harm and violence.

“The sight of children taking to the streets instead of being in classrooms is a stark reminder of the enormity of our task.

“It is alarming to see that most protesters, particularly in the northern region, are children of school age who may not attend school. The violent nature of these protests puts children at risk of physical harm, emotional trauma, and exploitation,” the Executive Secretary, Dr. Muhammad Sani Idris, said, according to the statement.

Idris also appealed to parents and guardians to take control of their children and wards, prioritising their safety and well-being. He called for calm and understanding among protesters and reiterated the federal government’s commitment to addressing grievances peacefully and constructively.

The Commission urged well-meaning Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s efforts to enrol millions of Nigerian children in school, reform the almajiri education system, and provide skills acquisition opportunities.