In a move aimed at advancing educational opportunities for underserved youth, President Bola Tinubu’s daughter, Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, has been appointed as the Ambassador for the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education. The appointment, announced on Monday, highlights a commitment to addressing the pressing issues facing millions of out-of-school children across Nigeria.

Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, who also serves as the Iyaloja-General (market leader), will leverage her influence to bring attention to the educational needs of marginalized children, particularly those in northern Nigeria who are part of the traditional Almajiri system. The Almajiri education system, which primarily provides Islamic religious education, has faced scrutiny for its lack of structured formal education, leaving many children without the skills needed to thrive in the modern world.

The National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education, established to coordinate policies and programs that reintegrate these children into mainstream education, aims to reduce the nation’s alarming out-of-school children statistics. According to the United Nations, Nigeria is home to one of the largest out-of-school youth populations in the world.

As ambassador, Tinubu-Ojo is expected to advocate for policies, partnerships, and programs to provide comprehensive education and development pathways for these vulnerable youth. Her leadership role may also bring increased visibility and resources to the commission’s mission of reducing educational inequality.

In her new role, Tinubu-Ojo stated her dedication to the task, emphasizing that all Nigerian children deserve access to quality education regardless of their background.