Nigeria, Qatar Strengthen Partnership to Transform Almajiri and Out-of-School Education
Nigeria has taken a major step toward strengthening international collaboration on inclusive education as the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa (FAMedS), CON, met with Qatar’s Minister of Education and Higher Education, Her Excellency Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed Al Khater, in Doha to advance cooperation on transforming Almajiri and out-of-school education systems.
The high-level meeting, held on Wednesday, focused on Nigeria’s comprehensive national plan to overhaul Almajiri and out-of-school education, a sector that affects millions of children—particularly across northern Nigeria. Discussions centered on large-scale Mallam training, upgrading of Tsangaya school infrastructure, and strengthening the operations of the 33 bilingual schools funded by the Islamic Development Bank across 11 states.
Dr. Alausa reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to reintegrating marginalized learners into mainstream, quality education through enhanced literacy, numeracy, vocational training, and the provision of safer and more inclusive learning environments.
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As part of the bilateral engagement, the Education Minister also held strategic meetings with the Director-General of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), Mr. Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti, and the Chief Executive Officer of Education Above All (EAA), Mr. Mohammed Saad Al-Kubaisi. Both organizations are key players in global education support and child protection initiatives.
The discussions with QFFD and EAA focused on expanding partnerships aimed at reducing educational exclusion, improving child protection frameworks, and scaling access to modern, inclusive learning opportunities for vulnerable school-aged children in Nigeria.
According to the Federal Ministry of Education, Qatar expressed strong readiness to collaborate on upgrading Tsangaya infrastructure, supporting Mallam capacity development, and enhancing the functionality of the bilingual schools to ensure long-term, sustainable outcomes.
The Ministry announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is expected to be finalized and signed early next year between Nigeria and relevant Qatari institutions. The agreement will formalize joint efforts to support reforms that promote inclusive, equitable, and quality education.
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed Nigeria’s determination to work closely with Qatar’s Ministry of Education, Education Above All, and the Qatar Fund for Development to deliver impactful and scalable solutions for Almajiri and out-of-school children—an effort he described as essential to national stability and long-term human capital development.
The statement was signed by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education.
By PRNigeria
