Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised alarm over the rising number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, warning that the trend poses a significant security threat to the nation’s future. Speaking in Bauchi on Sunday during the commissioning of projects initiated by Governor Bala Mohammed, Obasanjo stressed that the over 20 million children currently out of school could become prime recruits for extremist groups like Boko Haram and bandits within the next 10 to 15 years.
Highlighting the importance of education, Obasanjo cited World Bank figures showing that about 10 percent of Nigeria’s population—estimated at 230 million—should be in school but are not. “That is recruitment for future Boko Haram. Nobody needs to tell us that,” he said, emphasizing the need for urgent action to prevent this looming threat.
He warned that failing to equip these children with education and skills leaves them vulnerable to exploitation by criminal elements. “We are preparing them to be recruited in 10 to 15 years’ time for whatever form Boko Haram or banditry will take by then,” Obasanjo added.
His comments have further underscored the growing concerns over Nigeria’s education crisis and its potential long-term impact on national security.
