Denying Children Education Is Criminal, Says Anambra Governor

Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has declared that denying any child access to education is a criminal act, particularly in light of the state's free education policy. Speaking at the 2026 Children’s Day celebration in Awka, themed “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child,” Soludo emphasized that no child in the state should be out of school for any reason. "For me, it’s criminal to deny any child education, especially now that we have free education. Yet, one prefers roaming the streets begging or hawking during school hours," Soludo stated. He announced the state government's intention to strictly enforce its zero-tolerance policy against out-of-school children. Under the new measures, parents or guardians will face penalties if their children are found begging or hawking during school hours. "If we grab any child within school hours, we will criminalise it for the parents. We will arrest the parents and lock him or her up for a few days and insist the child goes to school." Responding to a six-point demand presented by the Speaker of the Children’s Parliament, Victory Ekwunife, Governor Soludo reiterated that the punishment for children found roaming the streets during school hours would fall upon their parents. "As part of our reforms, we make the punishment lie on the parents. If he spends two days with the enforcement agencies, he or she will be compelled to send the children to school," he explained. Soludo highlighted that Anambra State currently has the lowest number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, with a figure of 2.9% according to UNESCO, a number he aims to reduce to zero. He also pledged to provide land for a Juvenile Correctional Centre, stressing the importance of separating child offenders from adult detainees. "Putting child offenders in the same cell with adults isn’t right. We need to get a different place for them," he said, also promising increased attention to inclusive education for children with disabilities and a dedicated helpline for abused children.

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For me, it’s criminal to deny any child education, especially now that we have free education. Yet, one prefers roaming the streets begging or hawking during school hours.