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Fulani Parents Protest Teacher Absenteeism in Nasarawa School

Published by YuToday Staff

0 views · 2 hours ago · 3:59 read · September 2, 2026

Parents from Fulani settlements in Nasarawa state have accused a local nomadic school’s teaching staff of chronic absenteeism and extortion, leaving over 200 children without consistent education. The allegations, reported by Premium Times, underscore broader challenges in rural schooling infrastructure.

Key takeaways

Parents in Nasarawa state allege chronic teacher absenteeism and extortion at a nomadic school serving over 200 Fulani children.
The school relies on a skeleton teaching staff, leaving children without consistent instruction for extended periods.
Alleged unofficial fees have been reported, with families describing the practice as extortion.
Education authorities have acknowledged the complaints but have not provided a timeline for resolution.

What Parents Are Reporting About the School

Residents from multiple Fulani settlements in Nasarawa state have lodged complaints with the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), citing severe shortages of qualified teachers at the nomadic school. Parents allege that instructors frequently fail to show up for classes, leaving children without instruction for days. Additionally, some families claim they have been pressured into paying unofficial fees to secure their children’s attendance, describing the practice as extortion. The school, which serves over 200 pupils from scattered Fulani communities, relies heavily on a skeleton teaching staff, exacerbating the problem. While specific names or dates of the alleged incidents remain unconfirmed, the PTA has escalated the issue to local education authorities for intervention.

How the Nomadic School System Works in Nasarawa

Nomadic schools in Nasarawa state are designed to cater to the educational needs of Fulani pastoralists, whose children often miss traditional schooling due to their families’ migratory lifestyles. These schools operate under the state’s Universal Basic Education Board and are intended to provide flexible, community-based learning. However, the system faces persistent challenges, including underfunded infrastructure, a lack of trained teachers, and logistical hurdles in reaching remote settlements. The current crisis at the affected school reflects these systemic issues, with parents arguing that the school’s operational failures are undermining its core mission. Education officials have yet to comment on whether additional resources or personnel will be deployed to address the gaps.

Why Teacher Absenteeism Disrupts Rural Education

Teacher absenteeism is a well-documented issue in Nigeria’s rural and nomadic education sectors, often driven by poor working conditions, inadequate pay, and the logistical difficulties of serving remote communities. In nomadic schools, where teachers may need to travel long distances or adapt to unpredictable schedules, the problem is compounded. When instructors fail to appear, children—many of whom are already at a disadvantage due to poverty and mobility—lose critical learning time. The situation in Nasarawa highlights how absenteeism not only disrupts education but also erodes trust in the system. Without immediate intervention, the long-term consequences for these children’s academic and economic prospects could be severe.

What Authorities Say About the Allegations

Local education authorities in Nasarawa have acknowledged the complaints but have not provided detailed responses regarding the specific allegations of extortion or absenteeism. A spokesperson for the state’s Universal Basic Education Board confirmed that the PTA’s concerns had been brought to their attention and that an investigation was underway. However, no timeline for resolution has been shared, and officials have not addressed whether disciplinary action will be taken against the implicated staff. The lack of transparency has fueled frustration among parents, who argue that years of neglect have left the school in its current state. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.

How Parents Are Responding to the Crisis

Frustrated by the lack of progress, parents have begun organizing community meetings to demand accountability from school authorities. Some families have withdrawn their children from the school temporarily, opting to home-school or send them to nearby towns where education is more reliable. Others are considering legal action if the situation does not improve. The PTA has called for an emergency meeting with education officials to discuss urgent solutions, including the deployment of substitute teachers and the implementation of stricter attendance monitoring. Meanwhile, advocacy groups are urging the state government to prioritize nomadic education funding to prevent similar crises in the future.

What happens next

As investigations continue, education advocates are calling for immediate reforms in Nasarawa’s nomadic school system, including the deployment of substitute teachers and stricter oversight. Parents remain hopeful for a resolution but warn that without systemic changes, the academic futures of hundreds of children will remain at risk. The state government’s next steps will be closely watched by both local communities and education stakeholders.