Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has expressed concern that the rising number of out-of-school children in the country presents a significant security risk for the future.
He stated that the over 20 million children currently out of school in Nigeria could be prime targets for recruitment into Boko Haram and banditry within the next 10 to 15 years.
Obasanjo made these remarks in Bauchi on Sunday during the commissioning of several projects initiated by Governor Bala Mohammed.
He emphasised the importance of investing in human capacity and education, stating, “According to the World Bank, there are over 20 million children who should be in school but aren’t, which is a worrying 10 per cent of our 230 million population. This situation is creating a recruitment pool for future Boko Haram members, and we must acknowledge it.”
Obasanjo warned that failing to equip these children with education and the necessary skills leaves them vulnerable to exploitation by extremist groups.
“Not only are we neglecting 10 per cent of our population by not helping them develop their abilities to contribute to their families and communities, but we are also setting them up to be recruited by Boko Haram or bandits in the next decade or so,” he added.