Members of the 10th House of Representatives and other stakeholders have called on Nigerians to support out-of-school children, stressing the urgency of the situation, as one in three Nigerian children is currently out of school, with 60% of this population being girls.

They also urged state governors to adopt at least five out-of-school children as a step toward addressing the alarming number of children without access to education in Nigeria.

The call was made by Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs, during the National Children Leadership Conference organized by the Children of African Leadership and Values Development Initiative (CALDEV), founded by Hon. Bamidele Salam.

Hon. Ogbara commended the organization for prioritizing children’s initiatives, while urging policymakers, parents, and state governors to take immediate action, suggesting that adopting children and reintegrating them into the education system could help secure the country’s future.

Country Director of Plan International Nigeria, Mr. Charles Usie, advised participants to transform knowledge from school into practical skills to solve societal problems, while Hon. Abdulsamad Dasuki highlighted the need to bridge the generational gap caused by social media. He called for deliberate efforts to empower, educate, and enlighten young Nigerians.

Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), represented by Hajia Nafisat Usman, encouraged participants to use technology and social media positively for intellectual growth, emphasizing its potential to shape a better future for the younger generation.