Controversial items in 2026 budget are NASS constituency projects — Almajiri Commission

The National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education (NCAOOSCE) has clarified concerns over controversial projects listed under its 2026 Appropriation Act, saying the items are constituency projects assigned to the Commission for implementation and do not reflect a change in its statutory mandate.

The commission made the clarification in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Senior Adviser on Media and Communications to the Executive Secretary and spokesperson, Nura Muhammad, following public scrutiny of some budget items considered unrelated to its core responsibilities.

According to the Commission, the projects in question are National Assembly constituency projects incorporated into the 2026 federal budget in line with the established practice of assigning such projects to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for execution through the Appropriation Act.

Muhammad explained that, as part of the duly enacted budget, all projects allocated to the commission have become part of its implementation responsibilities and would be executed in accordance with extant laws, financial regulations and due procurement processes.

The Commission, however, stressed that the inclusion of the projects does not alter its legal mandate, which remains focused on reforming the Almajiri system of education and tackling the challenge of out-of-school children across the country.

It reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to quality education, strengthening Almajiri education, supporting states and other stakeholders, and implementing programmes aimed at improving the lives of millions of vulnerable children.

The Commission highlighted some of its achievements, including the identification and profiling of more than 700,000 out-of-school children nationwide, the establishment of 119 learning centres across the country, sustained ward-to-ward advocacy and community mobilisation, as well as ongoing efforts to implement the National Policy on Almajiri Education.

It said these interventions demonstrate its continued focus on addressing the educational needs of Almajiri and out-of-school children while working to eliminate the social challenges associated with the phenomenon.

NCAOOSCE also reaffirmed its resolve to deliver on its statutory responsibilities with the support of the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, and other stakeholders.

The Commission maintained that ensuring every Nigerian child has access to quality education and the opportunity to realise his or her full potential remains its foremost priority.