Abuja: Mohammed Abdullahi, a nine-year-old boy, once roamed the streets of Abuja scavenging cement bags around construction sites in the highbrow Asokoro area. Moving in groups, these scavengers would share 250 for a dozen bags collected. Some days they couldn’t meet up and would roam aimlessly, feeding on scraps around Kpaduma Hills, where they reside. Abdullahi was one of the 18.3 million children estimated by UNICEF in its June 2022 report to be out of school in Nigeria until an intervention by the Not Forgotten Initiative (NFI) School, a makeshift structure he walked past daily, offered him a chance at education.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, in November 2025, the Nigerian government announced plans to reintegrate over one million out-of-school children into formal education as part of efforts to stem the tide of out-of-school children. Beyond government initiatives, individual and corporate efforts are contributing to advancing formal education, which many experts believe have been hindered by insecurity and economic challenges. Today, Abdullahi, now 12, in Kindergarten 2, excels in mathematics among his peers and dreams of becoming a doctor to help his community in Kpaduma Hills.
Currently, the NFI School accommodates 132 pupils, offering free education in a makeshift structure. Established in 2018 by local resident Mrs. Oluwatosin Adeniyi, the school provides uniforms, sportswear, and daily meals to ensure indigent children attend school. Adeniyi was inspired to act after witnessing children roaming around while her own children attended school. Using her driver as an interpreter for the predominantly Hausa-speaking community, she negotiated with parents who lacked the financial means to educate their children.
The community contributed labor to build the initial makeshift structure, fostering parental buy-in. As the first set of students moved from learning under a tree to the makeshift structure and later secured scholarships to secondary schools, more out-of-school children were inspired to enroll. Presently, NFI School employs 19 staff members and offers digitally-inclined programs, including visual aid, computer competence, arts, craft, and movie hours.
The school’s admission approach has evolved. Initially, any child willing to learn was admitted, resulting in older children starting from scratch. A focused one-on-one learning method was implemented to quickly identify and build on each child’s strengths. Unconventional methods, such as foregoing traditional school timetables and holidays, allowed for accelerated learning from 2019 to 2021. However, this approach was time-consuming and exhausting for both pupils and teachers. Now, the school admits younger children from ages 4-5, who assimilate better and grow with the school.
Despite its success, NFI School remains a makeshift structure, as building a concrete structure could lead to land disputes. The school operates on idle land awaiting the landowner’s claim, with removable items in case an agreement is not reached. Inside, cozy classrooms feature colorful walls, TV sets, and audio-visual aids. The vibrant library and art class are favorites among pupils. Makeshift bathrooms provide a vital convenience for students who face challenges accessing water at home due to the hilly terrain.
NFI School ensures continuity by securing scholarships for Grade 5 graduates to attend secondary schools. The school follows up with students to know the government secondary schools they are placed in and pays their fees. Adeniyi proudly reports that 21 of its graduates have secured scholarships to federal secondary schools, with some excelling in their studies and entering higher education institutions.
Mrs. Aisha Useni, the school’s cook, shares her gratitude as her children have gained admission to tertiary institutions. Similarly, Aisha Musa, the pioneer Head Girl, is now studying at Federal Government Girls’ College, Bwari. Chinenye Okoli, Head Teacher, emphasizes the school’s commitment to modern technology and digital learning, highlighting the tutors’ training and the transition from traditional to digital classrooms.
Despite its impact, the school faces challenges in retaining qualified teachers on modest salaries. Adeniyi calls for higher pay to meet rising economic needs and maintain teacher retention. Additionally, solar power to support digital learning is a pressing need. With support from donors like Mayowa Dixon Foundation and Metro Bakery, which has provided weekly meals for seven years, more funding and government support could significantly benefit the school.
Although housed in a makeshift structure, NFI School’s reputation has attracted over 400 children on a waitlist. Experts suggest that securing titled land and a better-equipped structure could enable the school to accommodate more students and address the high number of out-of-school children in Nigeria. Suggestions have also been made to repurpose buildings seized in embezzlement cases for initiatives like NFI School to further reduce the burden of out-of-school children.