Tinubu Seeks Saudi Support to Expand Education for Almajiri, Out-of-School Children

First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has called on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to partner with Nigeria in expanding access to formal education for Almajiri and other out-of-school children, saying the initiative is critical to securing the country’s future.

The appeal was contained in a statement on Thursday by the Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady on Media, Busola Kukoyi, following a meeting between the First Lady and the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef Mohammed Al-Balawi, at the State House, Abuja.

Speaking during the visit, Oluremi Tinubu said integrating Islamic education with Western education would provide better opportunities for Almajiri children while addressing some of the country’s long-term security challenges.

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She said, “I work with the women and vulnerable children in the society, my heart goes out to the Almajiri children up North, I believe they need better care.”

The First Lady noted that improving access to formal education for the children would help protect their future and reduce their vulnerability.

According to her, “This is because most of the insecurity challenges in the nation, if those particular group of children are not taken care of, I don’t know what might happen.”

She added, “I believe we can still start to give them formal education, if we are able to do that, the future of Nigeria will be well secured.”

Oluremi Tinubu also called for a strategic partnership between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to reform the Almajiri education system, stressing that the proposed collaboration would combine Arabic and Western education.

She further acknowledged the long-standing diplomatic ties between both countries and thanked the Saudi envoy for the visit.

In his remarks, Ambassador Al-Balawi said he was impressed by the warm reception he had received since arriving in Nigeria five months ago.

He disclosed that he had held meetings with members of the Federal Executive Council and expressed optimism that the engagements would strengthen bilateral relations and promote economic cooperation.

The envoy said, “As you are aware, our countries have strong relationship, we both share historical relationship, our nations share a lot of things, religion, culture and potentials to improve our relationship to get back in shape.”

He added, “Our nations have strong common ambitions to improve our economy.”

According to the statement, the ambassador was accompanied to the meeting by the Chief of Staff at the Saudi Embassy, Mohammed Bukar.