Sokoto govt declares basic education free, compulsory — SUBEB

The Executive Chairman of the Sokoto State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Alhaji Umar Nagwari Tambuwal, has disclosed that Sokoto State faces a significant educational challenge, stating that the state government has declared basic education free and compulsory.

The SUBEB Executive Chairman made this known on Tuesday while speaking at a media dialogue on strengthening early childhood education and access to quality education in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.

“Sokoto State has 66.4 per cent of school-aged children currently out of school. This figure represents hundreds of thousands of girls, orphans and Almajiri children who risk being trapped in a cycle of poverty and vulnerability,” he said.

According to him, under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Dr Ahmad Aliyu, Sokoto State is no longer merely documenting the crisis but dismantling it through a rigorous mapping and listing exercise across all 23 Local Government Areas.

He explained that the state has already identified and documented 25 per cent of these children for targeted intervention. “We are finding them where they are — in the streets, in rural villages and in the Tsangaya centres,” he said.

“Our administration’s response has been swift and multi-sectoral. Governor Dr Ahmad Aliyu has declared basic education free and compulsory, abolished all school levies and prioritised the recruitment of qualified teachers,” he added.

Alhaji Umar Tambuwal said the Sokoto State Government is also looking towards the future.

“The Digital Village Initiative, launched in May 2025, is currently equipping Almajiri children and out-of-school girls with the digital tools needed for the 21st century,” he said.

“When we miss the opportunity to provide early care, we inadvertently fuel the crisis of out-of-school children and drop-outs. Recognising this, SUBEB, with the unwavering support of UNICEF, has taken bold steps,” he stated.

He said that in 2024 and 2025, they supported 160 Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) centres with teaching materials and caregiver training. “I am pleased to announce that, building on this momentum, UNICEF has committed to supporting an additional 80 centres, and SUBEB will also triple the number in 2026. This is our foundation, and it must be solid,” he assured.