NIGERIA: Gombe Govt To Jail Parents Who Keeps Children Out of School

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Gombe State Government has warned that it will begin prosecuting parents and guardians who fail to enroll their children in school, as part of renewed efforts to address the high rate of out-of-school children in the state.

Chairman of the Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Babaji Babadidi, issued the warning on Monday during the inauguration of the 2025/2026 School Enrollment Campaign at Amada in Akko Local Government Area.

Babadidi explained that under Section 19(2) of the SUBEB Amendment Law 2021, parents who neglect their children’s education are liable, upon conviction, to either pay a fine or serve a one-month prison term.

He added that repeat offenders risk stiffer penalties, including a two-month jail sentence.

He said: “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.”

According to him, the state government had initially adopted a “carrot approach” by providing free education, school materials, and support to pupils. However, he noted that the government may be forced to adopt the “stick approach” if the enrollment target of 400,000 pupils into primary schools for the 2025/2026 session is not achieved.

Commissioner for Education, Prof. Aishatu Maigari, disclosed that Gombe State has over 700,000 out-of-school children. She noted that the Northeast region accounts for about 15 per cent of Nigeria’s estimated 18.2 million out-of-school children.

Maigari noted: “We cannot sit and fold our arms while our children remain out of school. Every child must be enrolled, receive quality education, and learn a trade, which does not necessarily mean working for the government.”

Prof. Maigari explained that the state government has invested heavily in education by distributing school bags, exercise books, and other learning materials. She urged parents to reciprocate the effort by ensuring their children attend school.

Also speaking, the Emir of Gona, Alhaji Umar Abdulsalam, represented by Gadi Galadima, pledged his council’s commitment to mobilising parents and communities for the campaign. He commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for increased investment in education.

The event featured symbolic enrolment of new pupils into Primary One as well as out-of-school children into post-basic education.