Jare Olukotun with Olaleye Taiwo & Ayoola Oladipupo (SIWES Students)
-Enrolled 53 out – of – school children
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Imota Local Council Development Area (NYCN) branch, on Wednesday, flagged -off the second edition of its Back -to -School Programme, an initiative aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children and promoting quality education in the council area.
The initiative which is targeted at the primary schools in Imota, and scheduled to hold between Wednesday, October 22nd to Friday, October 24th, 2025, started off at St. John Anglican Primary School, where the group enrolled new pupils who along with the old ones, were given various learning materials.
A total of 2,000 exercise books with school bags, uniforms, rubber shoes, pens, pencils, and socks were provided to ease the burden on parents and encourage consistent school attendance. The distribution is earmarked to be done across eight primary schools in Imota LCDA.
At the four schools visited on the first day, starting with St. John Anglican Primary School, Imota, and Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School, the Inclusive Unit School for Special Children, Imota, and Community Primary School, Imota, 54 out – of – school children were enrolled by the NYCN, in continuation of its campaign for inclusive education for every child.
According to the youth group, the Back -to- School initiative was introduced in 2024 after a community survey revealed a disturbing rise in the number of children who were not attending school, this prompted the NYCN to respond by creating a programme that not only enrolls out-of-school children but also monitors their academic progress.
Comrade Oriyomi Adebogun, NYCN Coordinator, Imota LCDA speaking at the flag – off explained that his team found out that about 500 children that were supposed to be school in 2023 were not, a situation he said called for timely intervention.
“The reason we are doing all this is that in 2023, the youth of Imota carried out a survey; a research and found out that there were 443 out-of-school children in Imota LCDA. Now, having that figure, it shows us that we are sitting on a time bomb in Imota LCDA.
“I bet with you, if nothing is being done, the situation is going to create big problem. If it is just 20% of this number that turned to something else tomorrow, then none of us will be able to sleep with our eyes closed in Imota in the next 5 to 10 years. So, that is why we now came up with this initiative, that if at all we can do something, the little that we can do would make impact.
“We decided that, if it is just 50 or 100, that we can remove from this pool of numbers that are on the street; that are not going anywhere, it will make a lot of sense in the next five to six years in Imota LCDA. So, that is the reason we are coming up with this initiative that is titled, “Back-to-school”, which is essentially for young learners in Imota LCDA.
“This initiative is to address the challenges of out-of-school children in Imota LCDA. This is in compliance with the United Nations Sustainability Development Goal (SDG) 4, which emphasises the need for quality education and that no child should be left behind. Every child deserves quality education no matter what, regardless of gender, race, color, or any other thing. This is why we at the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Imota local branch, is coming up with this idea,” he explained.
The NYCN Coordinator assured that the programme would be sustained to ensure that there will be no out – of – school children anymore in Imota LCDA.
Comrade Abubakri Olatunji Asoro, State Vice Chairman, NYCN, who revealed he has been following the initiative since its inception, commended the local chapter for not only initiating the laudable programme but also sustaining it.
He stated that the state body of the NYCN acknowledged and appreciated efforts of Imota branch’s educational and youth developments. Asoro charged the branch to continue to work together for the progress of the community and the state.
He pledged the continuous support of the state body of the youth group towards the initiative.
Mrs. A.B. Alliu, a teacher at the St. John Anglican Primary School, Imota, described the youth group’s gesture as a remarkable one.
“What they’re doing is remarkable. They’re giving hope and education to children who might otherwise be roaming the streets. Among these children are potential leaders — future governors, presidents, and great achievers — but many parents don’t realise that. If parents don’t give attention to their children, the hard work of these youths may not show its full impact,” she said.
The teacher said that many of the students that were enrolled by the NYCN last year are brilliant but their learning is being affected because of poor attendance and lack of learning materials.
Comrade Adebogun emphasising the teacher’s position on the brilliance of some of the pupils enrolled last year, said that one them, Oladunni Azeez, received double promotions due to he outstanding performance.
A pupil at St. John Anglican Primary School, Imota, Ezekiel Anjorin, who is also among last year’s beneficiaries of NYCN Imota out – of – school programme, but was discovered to be irregular in school, pointed at challenges at home as a major factor preventing him.
“I want to come to school everyday, but my mummy always tells me not to.
“My mum always tells me to go and meet my dad at the bus stop to buy my uniform. Sometimes, she asks me to go and hawk Fufu.”
The youngster added, “I really want to study, but it all depends on what my mom wants me to do,” he added.
Across schools visited, teachers noted that absenteeism remains a major challenge, largely due to parents’ insistence that their children engage in hawking or domestic chores before attending classes. This the NYCN Coordinator, Comrade Adebogun said is one of the challenges to be addressed at the final day which is a stakeholders meeting with beneficiaries, their parents and other critical stakeholders on Friday.
The NYCN Imota was applauded by teachers and parents for its unwavering commitment to empowering children through education and fostering a brighter future for the community.
