Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has warned that parents who keep their children out of school risk arrest and prosecution, stressing that denying children access to education is a criminal offence under the state’s laws.
The governor issued the warning on Wednesday during the 2026 Children’s Day celebration held in Awka, themed, “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child.”
Soludo said the state government would intensify enforcement of its policy against out-of-school children, noting that free education remains available across Anambra State.
“We will commence full enforcement. If we find any child outside during school hours, the responsibility will fall on the parents,” he said.
According to him, parents whose children are found roaming the streets or engaging in hawking during school hours would face sanctions, including possible detention.
“We will arrest the parents and keep them in custody for some days while ensuring the child returns to school. Denying a child education, especially when education is free, is unacceptable,” the governor added.
Soludo said Anambra currently records one of the lowest rates of out-of-school children in Nigeria, citing a UNESCO estimate of 2.9 per cent, a figure he noted was recorded before the introduction of the state’s free education programme.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reducing the figure to zero and announced plans to establish a Juvenile Correctional Centre to separate young offenders from adult correctional facilities.
The governor also promised stronger policies on inclusive education and disclosed plans to introduce a toll-free line for reporting child abuse and welfare concerns.
Delivering the Children’s Day message of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Soludo stressed the need for equal opportunities and inclusion for every Nigerian child, irrespective of background or physical ability.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs Esther Onyekesi, praised the state government’s efforts in promoting child welfare and encouraged children to remain disciplined and committed to their education.
