By Ayo Ayodele
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has secured the support of the Qatar Foundation towards addressing the challenge of over 15 million out-of-school children in Nigeria.
Senator Tinubu made this known after a high-level meeting with the Founder and Chairperson of the Qatar Foundation, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned, in Doha, Qatar.
According to the First Lady, her visit was aimed at seeking partnership and intervention from the foundation to support the Nigerian government’s new model for Almajiri and out-of-school children education.
She explained that the government, through the Ministry of Education, was set to embark on a transformative approach that integrates both Islamic and formal education.
“These schools will host and care for the children in a safe learning environment, which will include a mosque for worship, incorporate skills acquisition, and offer boarding facilities for students, as well as residences for Imams and caregivers,” she said.
Senator Tinubu added that the holistic plan is designed to provide children with both formal and Islamic education free from exploitation while equipping them with life skills to enable them to contribute meaningfully to national development.
“However, given the magnitude of this challenge and the competing demands on our national resources, Nigeria cannot achieve this alone. We need strategic partners, and Your Highness represents precisely the kind of visionary partners who can help us make this dream a reality,” the First Lady emphasized.
She also commended Sheikha Moza for her foundation’s global efforts in promoting education, including the establishment of the Qatar Education City, which hosts over 40 schools, universities, and the Qatar National Library.
“I am proud to learn of your achievements in surpassing the target of enrolling 10 million marginalized children into school, and all that you continue to do for humanity around the world,” Senator Tinubu stated.
In response, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned assured the First Lady of the Qatar Foundation’s readiness to support Nigeria’s Almajiri and out-of-school children education initiative. She said the foundation would collaborate with the Ministry of Education and assist in training teachers and school handlers to ensure quality outcomes.
Earlier, Senator Tinubu visited the headquarters of the Qatar Foundation, where she was conducted around by its CEO, Yousif Al Na’am, and other officials. During the visit, she was informed that Nigeria currently has 41 alumni from the Muhammad Khalifa University.
The First Lady was accompanied on the trip by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed; and the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, Dr. Muhammad Sani Idris.