Senator Orji Kalu calls for urgent summit to address Nigeria’s education crisis
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has called for a national summit to address Nigeria’s growing education crisis, specifically the alarming number of over 20 million out-of-school children.
Speaking at Wednesday’s Senate plenary, Kalu warned that the situation is not only a social issue but a potential security threat, referring to it as “a time bomb waiting to explode.”
The issue of out-of-school children has plagued Nigeria for years. According to UNESCO, Nigeria has one of the highest numbers globally, with factors such as poverty, cultural barriers, and increasing insecurity in the northern regions contributing to the crisis. In recent years, insurgencies and frequent school kidnappings have driven many parents to keep their children out of school for fear of abductions.
Kalu, reflecting on his time as Governor of Abia State, emphasized the importance of education in national development. “When I was Governor, I made education compulsory for all primary and secondary school pupils. We invested heavily in schools because I believe the key to the emancipation of the human mind is quality education,” Kalu said.
He called on his fellow senators and national leaders to take immediate action, stressing that “we cannot afford to ignore this. Education is not just a tool for empowerment; it is our best defense against insecurity and economic hardship.”
The senator’s proposal for a national summit is intended to bring together stakeholders from across government, education, and civil society to craft sustainable solutions to the crisis. “We need a holistic approach,” Kalu added, “one that addresses both access to education and the root causes of why millions of our children are left behind.”
At the same plenary session, the Senate also processed legislative matters: six bills passed their first reading, four committee reports were deliberated upon, and one bill advanced to its second reading.
