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Nigerian Catholic Priest Warns of “dangers of out-of-school children”, Urges Government to “do the needful”

Abah Anthony John

By Abah Anthony John

Abuja, 08 October, 2025 / 8:47 am (ACI Africa).

A Catholic Priest in Nigeria has raised alarm over the growing population of out-of-school children, cautioning that inaction could lead to grave social and moral consequences for the country’s future.

In an interview with ACI Africa on the sidelines of a visit to the Compassionate Heart of Jesus Orphanage Home Gwagwalada, the Chaplain of the Seraphic Ensemble choral group of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Fr. Chrysognus Ugochukwu Ibekwe said uneducated children remain vulnerable to manipulation and abuse by those seeking to exploit them. 

“The dangers of out-of-school children are evident in our society. When we fail to engage them meaningfully, they become easy targets for manipulation,” Fr. Ibekwe said told ACI Africa on Mondy, October 6. 

The Nigerian Catholic Priest noted that education is the foundation of societal transformation and urged the government to prioritize bringing children back to school.

“The first thing any government that means well should address is to ensure that out-of-school children are taken back to school and given proper education,” he said.

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According to him, “Our society will benefit the most from it. We will have fewer young people who are easily drawn to violence and wrong activities.”

Fr. Ibekwe said Nigeria cannot make meaningful progress without addressing the educational gap. He called on both government and citizens to invest in education for the most vulnerable.

 “If we are talking about the transformation of our society, it begins when we give the little ones the right education and reduce the number of out-of-school children by every way possible,” he said.

He added that when parents are unable to afford education, government should step in. 

“This is exactly what government is about, we must come to a point where, even if parents cannot support their children education, the government can step in and do the needful,” the Catholic Priest said.

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Fr. Ibekwe commended the Catholic Church for its role in supporting education and welfare of orphans and vulnerable children. 

“The Catholic Church is doing her best to ensure that little ones are given an opportunity in life to become better people,” he said.

The member of Clergy of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja appealed to Nigerians not to leave the responsibility of caring for orphans and vulnerable children to the religious congregations. 

“Sometimes what we may be wasting away, the food we are wasting, could do them more good. Some people have so much but do not even know there are places like this where their support is needed,” he said. 

He urged Priests and lay faithful to continue reminding parishioners of their responsibility to support orphanages and other welfare centers.

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Fr. Ibekwe, who also serve as chaplain at the Federal Medical Center Jabi Abuja, encouraged Catholic professionals to contribute their expertise to welfare programs.

 “Some of our Catholic doctors association, Catholic lawyers association and other professionals can also contribute through medical outreaches, legal aid and other services,” he said.

Fr. Ibekwe underscored the need for prayer as a key response to Nigeria’s insecurity, poor leadership and corruption challenges.

 “Many Nigerians have given up on praying for our nation. But when we stop praying, we are not giving up on the situation, we are giving up on God. Who are we to limit the strength of God?” he posed.

Abah Anthony John

Abah Anthony John is a Nigerian Catholic journalist with passion for Church communication and media apostolate. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Benue State University, Makurdi in Benue State Nigeria. He has a background in print, electronic and multi-media production.