In a renewed national effort to address the growing challenge of out-of-school children in Nigeria, the Lagos State Advocacy Team of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education (NCAOOSCE) has officially launched its state-wide advocacy campaign.
Themed *“Revitalization of the Out-of-School Children’s Initiative,”* the campaign was flagged off at the palace of His Royal Majesty, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Kusenla III, the Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom. The monarch, who served as the Royal Host and Special Guest of Honour, was praised by the Commission for his longstanding support of education through scholarship programmes, school infrastructure projects, menstrual hygiene initiatives, and his instrumental role in establishing the Centre for Lagos Studies at Lagos State University.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Lagos State Advocacy Team emphasized that the campaign is more than a government programme—it is a national movement aimed at restoring dignity, opportunity, and social inclusion to children currently excluded from formal education.
“This campaign is not against religion or tradition,” the Team stated. “It is about integration, dignity, and giving every child a fair chance.”
The initiative is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and supports the Federal Ministry of Education’s six strategic priorities under the leadership of Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON. Lagos is one of eight states chosen to pioneer this revitalized national initiative.
Covering all 245 political wards across Lagos’ three senatorial districts, the campaign aims to engage a wide array of stakeholders—including traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, youth groups, and civil society organizations. A total of 1,225 grassroots volunteers will be recruited to implement the Commission’s flagship National Adopt an Out-of-School Child (N-OOSC) program across local communities.
Key focus areas include:
* Ending street begging and child exploitation
* Promoting birth registration and child identity
* Creating safe, inclusive, and dignified learning environments
* Eradicating abuse disguised as discipline
* Empowering communities to take ownership of children’s education
The ceremony concluded with a strong call to action for collective responsibility in tackling the out-of-school children crisis. Stakeholders across government, traditional institutions, faith-based organizations, and the wider public were urged to collaborate and ensure that *no child is left behind*.