The Gombe State Government has warned parents that they risk prosecution if they fail to enrol their children in school.
The Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Babaji Babadidi, said on Monday that offenders face fines or up to two months in prison under the SUBEB Amendment Law 2021.
Speaking at the launch of the 2025/2026 school enrolment campaign in Akko Local Government Area, Babadidi stated that the measure was necessary to address the state’s high rate of out-of-school children. He added that the government’s initial “carrot approach” of free education would give way to enforcement if enrolment targets were not met.
“We aim to enrol 400,000 pupils this session. Every parent should ensure their child attends and completes basic education,” he said.
Gombe’s Commissioner for Education, Aishatu Maigari, stated that more than 700,000 children in the state are out of school, accounting for a significant portion of the 18.2 million nationwide. She said the government had invested heavily in facilities and materials, urging parents to do the same.
UNICEF described the figure as “alarming” and emphasised that education is a fundamental right. Traditional leaders also pledged to mobilise parents in support of the campaign.
