BY AHMED TUKUR, LAFIA – In a bold move towards bridging the existing educational divide, the Nasarawa State Government has unveiled ambitious plans to construct 13 nomadic schools across its rural landscapes, signaling a renewed commitment to bringing formal learning directly to the doorstep of Fulani communities and turning the tide against the out-of-school children crisis.
Unpacking the vision behind the initiative, the Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Nomadic Education, Hajiya Kande Adamu, revealed that the project goes far beyond erecting physical classrooms as the administration is determined to weave nomadic families seamlessly into the formal education fabric.
According to her, the government intends to arm a new generation of Fulani communities with the foundational literacy and practical skills required to thrive in a rapidly modernizing world.
She said the decision followed a report presented to the State governor on the condition of nomadic schools across the state, emphasising that the government plans to construct one nomadic school in each of the State’s 13 local government areas.
“Based on the report submitted to the state governor on the state of nomadic schools, the governor has directed the construction of one nomadic school each in the 13 local government areas,” she said, explaining further that the proposed schools would also incorporate entrepreneurship studies to equip students with practical skills and make members of the Fulani communities self-reliant in various fields.
The Governor’s Aide, while noting that Fulani communities across the state had remained neglected for decades, with little government attention and access to basic social amenities, said: “Fulani settlements across the state have been neglected for decades without government patronage or recognition.”
However, acknowledging the efforts made by Governor Abdullahi Sule-led the administration, Hajia Adamu said some Fulani communities were already benefitting from government interventions, including the provision of schools and other social amenities, adding, “Until the coming of the present administration of Governor Sule, some of them were allocated schools, among other social amenities”.
She pleaded with individuals, local government authorities and other stakeholders to support the government’s efforts in developing Fulani settlements across the state, lamenting that many communities still lacked basic infrastructure, including boreholes, schools and electricity, despite participating in the electoral process
“Many Fulani communities lack basic infrastructure such as boreholes, schools and electricity, yet they vote during elections,” she said and urged local government authorities to complement the State government’s efforts by providing essential facilities and support to enable Fulani communities to realise their full potential.
The Special Assistant stated that with potential everywhere, what is required is just the spark from from all stakeholders, adding: “I am appealing to local government authorities to also key in by providing basic tools to assist Fulani people in realising their potential.”
