Governor of Anambra State Chukwuma Soludo has declared that denying children access to education amounts to a criminal act, insisting that no child should remain out of school in the state under the current free education policy.
Speaking on Wednesday in Awka during the 2026 Children’s Day celebration themed, “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child,” the governor said the state would begin strict enforcement against parents whose children are found roaming the streets during school hours.
According to him, parents or guardians of out-of-school children risk arrest and temporary detention as part of efforts to ensure every child receives formal education.
Soludo maintained that with free education already in place, there was no excuse for children to be seen hawking, begging, or wandering around instead of attending classes.
The governor made the remarks while responding to requests presented by the Speaker of the Children’s Parliament, Victory Ekwunife.
He explained that the state’s reforms place responsibility squarely on parents, stressing that enforcement measures would compel guardians to prioritise their children’s education.
Soludo further stated that Anambra currently records one of the lowest rates of out-of-school children in Nigeria, adding that the government aims to reduce the figure completely.
Citing previous UNESCO statistics, he said the state’s out-of-school rate stood at 2.9 per cent before the introduction of free education, contrasting it with figures above 60 per cent in some other states.
The governor also pledged to allocate land for a Juvenile Correctional Centre, noting that children in conflict with the law should not be detained alongside adults.
He added that the government would intensify support for inclusive education for persons with disabilities and establish a toll-free support line for abused children.
Soludo, while delivering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s message to children, emphasised that the nation’s future depended on decisions made concerning children today.
He stressed that every Nigerian child deserves equal opportunities and a sense of belonging regardless of gender, background, or physical condition.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs Esther Onyekesi, praised the governor’s wife, Dr Nonye Soludo, for her efforts toward improving child welfare through the Healthy Living Initiative.
She noted that the initiative has contributed significantly to children’s nutrition and wellbeing across the state while reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to combating child abuse, trafficking, street hawking, and child labour.
The Children’s Day celebration also featured march-pasts and performances by schools and children’s groups from different parts of the state.