‘We must build more schools’ — Tinubu speaks on addressing out-of-school children problem

President Bola Tinubu says the government would need to construct more schools to address the problem of out-of-school children in the country.

The United Nations Education And Social Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) data reveals that Nigeria has an estimated 20.2 million out-of-school children.

Tinubu spoke when he received members of the national working committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.

The president said it is important to ensure an inclusive democracy by prioritising youths through poverty eradication, job creation, and providing quality education for Nigerians.

He encouraged partnership among various government agencies and urged the APC leadership to focus on women and youth in its e-registration and digital membership validation exercise.

He said the exercise is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2024.

“Democracy has faced challenges in the past, but I believe in a promising future for our country. We will deliver it,” NAN quoted Tinubu as saying.

“I am committed to supporting a strong and ideologically determined democracy that is progressive, inclusive, and focused on eliminating poverty while providing quality education for our children.

“Collaboration with various government arms is crucial, and I commend the leadership of our party for working hard to promote these essential ideals.

“I stand solidly with you in the advancement of the progressive ideological stance of our party and we will pursue it with vigour.”

Speaking on the out-of-school children problem, the president said “we must address this issue by establishing more schools, recruiting teachers, and providing at least one meal a day for the school children, aligning with the progressive ideology we aim to pursue”.