By Dr. Nafisat Makinde
Nigeria has secured the support of the Qatar Foundation to tackle one of the country’s biggest challenges educating more than 15 million out-of-school children, the highest number globally.
According to a statement disclosed by Busola Kukoyi, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu met with Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned, Founder and Chairperson of the Qatar Foundation, in Doha on Monday, October 13, 2025. The meeting focused on mobilizing global partnerships to reform the Almajiri education system and expand learning opportunities for vulnerable children.
Senator Tinubu said the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, is set to implement a transformative Almajiri Education School model that merges Islamic and formal education. “These schools will host and care for the children in a safe learning environment,” she explained, “with a mosque for worship, skills acquisition, and boarding facilities for students and caregivers. This holistic approach will allow children to learn free from exploitation while gaining life skills that empower them to contribute meaningfully to society.”
She emphasized that Nigeria needs global partners to deliver the ambitious reform. “Given the magnitude of this challenge and the competing demands on our national resources, we need strategic partners — and Your Highness represents precisely the kind of visionary partners who can help us make this dream a reality.”
Responding, Sheikha Moza pledged Qatar Foundation’s full support for the initiative, confirming plans to work with Nigeria’s Ministry of Education on school development and teacher training. “We will actively support the Almajiri and out-of-school children education initiative to ensure the best outcomes,” she said.
During her visit to the Foundation’s headquarters, Senator Tinubu was received by the CEO, Yousif Al-Na’am, who conducted her round the Qatar Education City home to more than 40 schools, universities, and the Qatar National Library. The First Lady was accompanied by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed; and Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, Dr. Muhammad Sani Idris.
