The Kogi State Government has announced plans to make education compulsory for every child in the state, as part of a broader push to eliminate illiteracy and improve human capital development. The announcement was made by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, during a press briefing on Thursday.
Fanwo emphasized that the administration is taking decisive steps to ensure no child is left out of the education system, describing the initiative as both a legal and moral imperative.
“We are making it a matter of compulsion for every child to be educated,” Fanwo stated. “The time has come for all stakeholders parents, communities, traditional rulers to understand that education is not optional. It is a right, and it will be enforced.”
The commissioner explained that the policy will be backed by legislative support and enforcement mechanisms that will hold guardians accountable if they fail to enroll their children in school. The move is part of a broader statewide educational reform agenda aimed at reducing out-of-school children and promoting inclusive access to quality learning.
Fanwo highlighted that the government is expanding infrastructure, recruiting qualified teachers, and partnering with development organizations to make education accessible, particularly in rural areas where school enrollment remains low.
According to recent figures, thousands of children in Kogi remain out of school due to poverty, cultural barriers, and limited access to basic education facilities. The new policy aims to address these challenges head-on, with state-funded incentives and community awareness campaigns to promote the importance of schooling.
Reacting to the policy, education advocates and civil society groups have applauded the initiative, calling it a step in the right direction. However, they also urged the government to ensure that enforcement does not penalize the poor, but instead offers genuine support to families in need.
Fanwo concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment: “We will not develop as a state if our children remain uneducated. This administration will invest whatever it takes to give every child a future through education.”
source: independent.ng
