The Nigerian Senate has warned of the growing threats posed by the menace of out-of-school children to Nigeria, calling for multi-sectoral interventions to tackle it. The Upper Chamber said the dangers posed to society by the growing number of out-of-school children were real, citing cases of banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, and other forms of violent crimes as manifestations.

Galaxy tv that Lawmakers expressed their opinions as they debated a motion on the topic, “Compelling Need to tackle the challenge of Out-of-School Children in Nigeria sponsored by Sen. Adebule Idiat Oluranti from Lagos-West

Adebule in her motion said it has become worrisome, going by 2022 report of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO that about 20 million Nigerian children are out of school which represents 10 percent of the estimated Nigerian population of 200 million people and also represents the highest number of out of school children from any country globally.

Making a contribution, Former Governor of Edo State, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole criticized state governors who claimed they could not afford the 50% counterpart fund to access the UBE program.Other Senators contributed to the debate by calling on the government at all levels to urgently arrest the trend.

In his remarks President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio said since education is the bedrock of all good things in any society, government at all levels, should ensure that no school age child, stays out of school in Nigeria.

The Senate however urged the Judiciary in the 36 states of the Federation to take steps towards setting up mobile courts for the enforcement of the UBE Act.