Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has appealed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support efforts aimed at providing formal education for Almajiri and other out-of-school children across the country.
Speaking on Thursday while receiving the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Yousef Mohammed Al-Balawi, at the State House in Abuja, the First Lady said integrating Arabic and Islamic education with Western education would provide a more secure future for vulnerable children, particularly those in the Almajiri system.
She stressed that the proposed collaboration would help protect the future of thousands of children by equipping them with both religious and formal education.
According to Senator Tinubu, improving access to education for Almajiri children is essential to addressing the country’s growing security challenges.
“I work with women and vulnerable children in society, and my heart goes out to the Almajiri children in Northern Nigeria. I believe they deserve better care,” she said.
She added that providing formal education for the children would not only improve their lives but also contribute to Nigeria’s long-term peace and development.
“If we are able to give them formal education, the future of Nigeria will be well secured,” the First Lady stated.
Senator Tinubu also acknowledged the longstanding bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, expressing appreciation to Ambassador Al-Balawi for his visit and optimism that both countries could deepen cooperation in education and other strategic sectors.
In his remarks, Ambassador Al-Balawi, who has spent five months in Nigeria, commended the warm reception he has received from the Nigerian government and people.
He disclosed that he had held meetings with members of the Federal Executive Council and expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between both countries would yield positive outcomes.
The ambassador noted that Nigeria and Saudi Arabia share deep historical, religious and cultural ties, adding that both nations also have common economic aspirations.
“Our countries have a strong relationship built on shared history, religion, culture and the potential to strengthen our cooperation. We also share common ambitions to improve our economies,” he said.
Ambassador Al-Balawi was accompanied to the meeting by the Chief of Staff at the Saudi Embassy in Nigeria, Mohammed Bukar.