In a landmark move to reshape the future of education in North Central Nigeria, the Benue State Government has officially launched a high-level offensive against the growing crisis of out-of-school children.
The maiden Benue Basic Education Summit, held at Moses Orshio Adasu University, brought together a powerhouse of stakeholders from government officials and international partners to traditional rulers and religious leaders all united under one ambitious goal: achieving zero out-of-school children in Benue State.
“From Building Schools to Building Futures”
The summit, themed “Innovative Strategies for Addressing the Menace of Out-of-School Children,” wasn’t just another talk shop. In a stirring keynote address, Governor Hyacinth Alia reaffirmed that under his watch, basic education is not a privilege, but a fundamental right.
“We must now move from building schools to building futures,” Governor Alia stated. “This summit is designed to generate actionable strategies anchored on international best practices to ensure every Benue child is in a classroom.”
The ‘Brace Up’ Project & Student Marshals
The highlight of the event was the official launch of the Brace Up Project. To ensure no child falls through the cracks, the Governor inaugurated Student Marshals across all local government areas. These marshals are tasked with identifying and monitoring out-of-school children within their communities.
To hit the ground running, the Governor backed the initiative with immediate logistics, donating a bus and a Hilux van to the project team.
Key Highlights & Partnerships
The summit was a collaborative effort involving the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), UBEC, and the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSCE).
| Key Achievement | Details |
| Reintegration Success | 525 children have already been reintegrated with full school supplies. |
| National Recognition | NCAOOSCE identified Benue as a leader in child enrollment under the current administration. |
| Infrastructure Boost | SUBEB Chairman, Dr. Grace Adagba, was lauded for significant improvements in school facilities. |
| Global Support | UNICEF and Universal Learning Solutions (ULS) provided additional school materials. |
A Unified Front: Poverty and Tradition
The summit didn’t shy away from the root causes of the crisis. Former Governor Senator Gabriel Suswam highlighted poverty as the primary driver of the national education gap, calling the current figures “alarming.”
Meanwhile, the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, emphasized the power of the grassroots. He called for religious and traditional leaders to be the “frontline soldiers” in changing the mindset of parents and ensuring children stay in school.
The Road Ahead
Governor Alia thanked the NCAOOSCE for providing critical data on over 700,000 out-of-school children nationwide, vowing that Benue would continue its aggressive reintegration program until the streets are empty and the classrooms are full.
With free compulsory education and a new fleet of “Student Marshals” on the lookout, Benue is sending a clear message: The future of the Benue child is non-negotiable.
