President Bola Tinubu has made significant adjustments to the leadership structure of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, reshuffling key appointments just days after the initial appointments were announced.
Brigadier-General Lawal Isa (retd.), initially appointed as Executive Secretary on March 15, has now been reassigned to the role of chairman of the commission. Dr. Idris Sani, on the other hand, will step into the position of executive secretary/CEO.
The announcement was made by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement titled ‘President Tinubu appoints new Almajiri Education Commission leadership team’ released Monday evening.
According to Ngelale’s statement, “Brigadier-General Lawal Ja’afar Isa (Rtd) is now to serve as the Chairman of the Board of the Commission, while Dr. Idris Sani is to serve as the Executive Secretary/CEO.” This move sees Sani replacing Sha’aban Sharada, who had been serving as the commission’s pioneer leader since its inception in May 2023.
Former military administrator of Kaduna State from 1993 to 1996, Ngelale described Isa as a respected leader, emphasizing the significance of his new role.
Meanwhile, Dr. Idris Sani brings a wealth of experience to his new position, holding master’s and doctorate degrees in Islamic Studies. His previous roles include Director-General of Al-Iman School Lafia, Commissioner of Basic/Secondary Education in Yobe State, Chairman of the Nigerian Arabic Language Village in Borno State, Member of the Nasarawa State Government Committee on Enlightenment Campaign, and Secretary-General of the Association of Private Schools in Nasarawa State.
Ngelale conveyed the President’s expectations for the newly appointed leaders, stating that Tinubu anticipates they will “bring their vast experience into the management of this critical Commission, which impacts the very core of society, by ensuring that his administration’s drive to guarantee Nigeria’s out-of-school children the most comprehensive education is realized in the superseding interest of the nation’s future.”