By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA — The inclusion of road projects, ambulances and other non-education items in the 2026 budget of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education (NCAOOSCE) has triggered fresh concerns over the use of funds meant to return millions of out-of-school children to the classroom.
For millions of children still roaming the streets instead of attending school, the argument is far removed from budget jargon or accounting procedures. It comes down to one question: will money approved in their name build classrooms and learning centres, or pay for projects that have nothing to do with education?
The concern is contained in a statement signed by IA-Foundation founder, Ibironke Adeagbo, who acknowledged the Commission’s explanation that the projects were constituency interventions inserted into its budget by the National Assembly, but insisted that such spending weakens the country’s response to the out-of-school children crisis.
The 2026 Appropriation Act allocated N22.82 billion to the Commission. But budget details show that about N8.4 billion was earmarked for road construction in Ogun, Katsina and Ekiti states, alongside ambulances, dental equipment, solar streetlights and other projects unrelated to education.
