The National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education (NCAOOSCE) has officially responded to mounting public criticism regarding the inclusion of non-educational infrastructure projects in its 2026 budget.
In a formal statement released on Tuesday, the Commission distanced itself from the controversial budget line items, clarifying that the projects—which include road construction, ambulance procurement, and solar installations—were not initiatives of the agency. Instead, the commission identified these entries as National Assembly constituency projects inserted into the 2026 Appropriation Act.
A Long-Standing Budgetary Practice
According to the commission, the assignment of constituency projects to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) is a deeply entrenched feature of the Nigerian federal budgeting process. Once these projects are enshrined in the annual Appropriation Act by the legislature, the designated agencies are legally obligated to oversee their procurement and implementation.
“The Commission wishes to clarify that these projects are National Assembly constituency projects incorporated into the 2026 Appropriation Act for implementation through the Commission,” stated Nura Muhammad, Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Executive Secretary.
He further emphasized that the agency remains committed to executing these projects in strict compliance with existing financial regulations and procurement laws, even though they fall outside the commission’s primary mandate.
Renewed Calls for Accountability
The development has reignited national debates regarding the transparency of the budgeting process. Critics have expressed concern that “off-mandate” projects—often referred to as “pork barrel” or “earmarks”—undermine the effectiveness of agencies specifically created to solve targeted social crises.
The concern is particularly acute for the NCAOOSCE, an agency tasked with addressing a national crisis of over 15 million out-of-school children. Skeptics argue that such budgetary insertions distract the agency from its core mission of reforming the Almajiri education system and expanding access to quality basic education.
Tightening the Reins on Spending
The controversy coincides with a recent directive from the Federal Government aimed at curbing the misuse of such funds. On June 29, 2026, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation issued a circular mandating that all MDAs must now obtain a Certificate of Verification and Compliance from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs before processing any payments for constituency or zonal intervention projects. This move is designed to ensure stricter oversight and accountability in how these projects are managed.
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Staying the Course
Despite the controversy, the Commission reaffirmed its focus on its primary objectives. It reported significant progress in its mandate, including:
- Identification: Successfully profiling over 700,000 out-of-school children across the country.
- Infrastructure: Establishing 119 learning centres nationwide.
- Advocacy: Intensifying community-based campaigns to reform the Almajiri system and integrate children into formal education structures.
The Commission pledged to continue its work with renewed vigor, supported by the Federal Ministry of Education, ensuring that the plight of the most vulnerable children remains at the forefront of national policy.
