The Gombe State Government has warned that parents and guardians who refuse to send their children to school will face prosecution.
Babaji Babadidi, Chairman of the Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), disclosed this on Monday during the launch of the 2025/2026 School Enrolment Campaign in Amada, Akko Local Government Area.
He explained that defaulters could be sentenced to two months in jail under Section 19(2) of the SUBEB Amendment Law 2021.
“Every parent should ensure that their child or ward attends and completes primary, junior and senior secondary education. Any parent, who contravenes Section 19(2) of the law commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to pay a fine or serve a one-month prison sentence. Subsequent convictions also attract a substantial fine or imprisonment for a term of two months,” Babadidi stated.
He noted that the state had earlier adopted a carrot approach by providing free education. “However, if we fail to meet our target of enrolling 400,000 students into primary schools this session, we will revert to the stick approach by enforcing the law,” he warned.
Commissioner for Education, Prof. Aishatu Maigari, revealed that the state currently has more than 700,000 out-of-school children. According to her, the North-East region accounts for 15 per cent of Nigeria’s 18.2 million out-of-school children.
“We cannot sit and fold our arms while our children remain out of school. We will ensure every child is enrolled. Every child will receive a quality education and also learn a trade, which does not necessarily mean working for the government. An educated person can become an employer of labour through skills and entrepreneurship acquired in school,” she said.
Maigari added that the state government has invested heavily in education and provided children with exercise books, school bags, and other materials, urging parents to play their part by enrolling their wards.
Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of UNICEF’s Field Office in Bauchi, described the figure of out-of-school children in Gombe as “alarming.” She stressed that UNICEF is committed to protecting children’s rights, particularly access to education.
“Every child has the right to be in school, to receive quality education, and grow into a productive citizen of society,” she said, calling the campaign a “critical moment” that requires the support of parents, children, and stakeholders.
Represented by Gadi Galadima, the Emir of Gona, Alhaji Umar Abdulsalam, pledged his council’s commitment to mobilise participation in the programme and commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his investment in education.
The event concluded with the symbolic enrollment of new Primary One pupils and out-of-school children into post-basic education.
