NCAOOSCE Clarifies Role in National Assembly Constituency Projects By Beauty Akporido Aroh
The National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education (NCAOOSCE) has clarified its role in the implementation of projects captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act that appear to fall outside its statutory mandate, explaining that the projects are National Assembly constituency interventions assigned to the Commission for execution.
The clarification follows public interest and widespread discussions over the inclusion of certain projects in the Commission’s 2026 budget that do not directly relate to its core responsibility of reforming the Almajiri education system and addressing the challenge of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commission’s Senior Adviser on Media and Communications and Spokesperson, Nura Muhammad, the agency explained that the projects were incorporated into the Appropriation Act under the long-established federal budgeting framework, where constituency projects sponsored by members of the National Assembly are assigned to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for implementation.
According to the Commission, the projects did not originate from NCAOOSCE but became part of its implementation responsibilities following the passage and signing of the 2026 federal budget.
“The projects are National Assembly constituency projects incorporated into the 2026 Appropriation Act for implementation through the Commission. This is in line with the long-standing budgetary practice under which constituency projects are assigned to Ministries, Departments and Agencies for execution through the Appropriation Act,” the statement said.
The Commission assured Nigerians that every project assigned to it would be executed in strict compliance with extant laws, financial regulations and due procurement processes, stressing that transparency and accountability would remain central throughout implementation.
While addressing concerns surrounding the budget, NCAOOSCE reaffirmed that its statutory mandate remains unchanged.
It said its primary responsibility continues to be coordinating national efforts to reform the Almajiri education system, reduce the number of out-of-school children, expand access to quality education and strengthen collaboration with state governments and other stakeholders working in the education sector.
The Commission highlighted some of its recent achievements, noting that it has successfully identified and profiled more than 700,000 out-of-school children across the country. It also disclosed that 119 learning centres have been established nationwide to improve access to education for vulnerable children.
In addition, the agency said it has sustained ward-to-ward advocacy and community mobilisation campaigns while intensifying efforts to implement the National Policy on Almajiri Education, aimed at reforming the system and addressing the social challenges associated with it.
Reaffirming its commitment to its core responsibilities, the Commission stressed that addressing the plight of Almajiri and out-of-school children remains its foremost priority.
It expressed appreciation for the continued support of the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, and other stakeholders who have continued to support efforts aimed at ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to quality education.
The Commission maintained that despite the inclusion of constituency projects in its budget, it remains focused on delivering its statutory mandate and implementing programmes that improve the lives of millions of Almajiri and out-of-school children across Nigeria, while ensuring that all projects entrusted to it are executed in accordance with the law.
