A philanthropic group, Qatar Foundation, has pledged its support in addressing Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis.

The pledge was made on Monday while receiving Nigeria’s first lady, Oluremi Tinubu, during her visit to Qatar Foundation’s founder, Sheika Moza Bint Nasser Al-Missned.

According to a statement issued by the first lady’s senior special assistant, Busola Kukoyi, Mrs Tinubu expressed concern over Nigeria’s more than 15 million out-of-school children reality, globally recognised as the largest.

Requesting the foundation’s intervention, Mrs Tinubu affirmed the federal government’s readiness to embark on a transformative model of the almajiri education schools’ system, which would integrate both Islamic and formal education.

Mrs Tinubu stated, “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 residence for Imams and caregivers. This holistic approach will allow children to acquire both formal and Islamic education free from exploitation, while equipping them with life skills that empower them to build their lives and contribute meaningfully to society”.

“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 said.

Applauding the foundation’s previous efforts, Mrs Tinubu praised Ms Nasser Al-Missned for her numerous interventions, especially in the education sector, including building over 40 schools, universities and Qatar’s national library.

“I am proud to learn of your achievements in surpassing the target of enrolling 10 million marginalised children into school, and all that you continue to do for humanity around the world. Watching you do all these great works has reinforced our conviction that change is possible and I believe reaching out to your esteemed organisation could provide the support we urgently need,” Mrs Tinubu noted.

Responding, Ms Nasser Al-Missned appreciated the visit, pledging active support towards transforming the education concerns of Nigeria’s almajiri and out-of-school children.

Ms Al-Missned noted that the foundation will work with Nigeria’s ministry of education, as well as with teachers and other stakeholders, to achieve the best outcomes.

Mrs Tinubu was on the visit, alongside the minister of health and social welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, minister of state for education, Suwaiba Ahmed and the executive secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, Muhammad Sani Idris.