Send Your Child to School or Risk Jail: Gombe Government Warns Parents

Education is no longer a choice—it’s a mandate in Gombe State. In a bold move to tackle the alarming number of out-of-school children, the Gombe State Government has announced that parents who refuse to enroll their children in school now risk facing jail time.

During the launch of the 2025/2026 School Enrollment Campaign in Amada, Akko LGA, the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Babaji Babadidi, reminded parents of the SUBEB Amendment Law 2021.

According to the law:

First-time offenders may face a fine or one month imprisonment.
Repeat offenders risk a heavier fine or two months imprisonment.

This move directly targets the over 700,000 children who are still out of school in the state.

Gombe’s government says it has tried incentives—free education, free school bags, books, and materials—to get children into classrooms. Despite these efforts, too many children remain at home or on the streets.

Now, the state is setting an ambitious goal: enrolling 400,000 new pupils into primary schools this academic year.

The Commissioner for Education also stressed that the government is committed to providing quality education alongside vocational skills training. This means children won’t just get academic lessons—they’ll also learn trades that can secure their future.

The message is clear: education is no longer optional. Parents and guardians who deny their children this right could end up behind bars.

But beyond the threat of punishment, this policy highlights a deeper truth: education is the foundation of progress. Keeping children in school doesn’t just benefit families—it strengthens communities and shapes the future of Nigeria.

Fussfeed takeaway

This is a wake-up call, not just for Gombe but for the entire country. If Nigeria truly wants to secure a brighter tomorrow, ensuring every child has access to education must be a national priority.