Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned that Boko Haram might soon recruit out-of-school children if the government fails to return them to their classrooms.
Obasanjo said this while addressing participants at the presidential youth mentorship retreat held at the Youth Development Centre, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Obasanjo blamed security challenges in the country for the increasing rate of out-of-school children.
He lamented that about 14 million children who ought to be in school are on the streets; therefore, the situation can worsen the nation’s security situation.
He said, “A situation today where we have 14 million children that should be in school that are not in school, does anybody need to be an oracle to say that 10 years or 15 years from now, those will be where you will recruit pure Boko Haram.
“Therefore, if you deal with Boko Haram by stick today, in a few years’ time, the situation will be worst because we are talking about security, it will be worst.”
The former president added that when it comes to security and poverty, the solution should start from education.
Obasanjo maintained that the unity of Nigeria is paramount, stressing that he would fight for it throughout his life.