A crisis of overcrowding has emerged at a nomadic school in Nasarawa State, where 159 male pupils are being forced to share a single hostel room.
The pupils, who are part of a specialised nomadic education programme, are currently sleeping on the floor due to a lack of adequate dormitory facilities. According to the school’s director, the large group is sharing approximately 100 mattresses to accommodate the number of students in the cramped space.
The dire living conditions, which were detailed in a report by Premium Times Nigeria, raise urgent concerns regarding the health, safety, and dignity of the students.
Infrastructure gaps in pastoralist schooling
Nomadic education in Nigeria is designed to provide formal schooling for children from pastoralist communities, allowing them to access education without disrupting their families’ migratory lifestyles. However, the situation in Nasarawa suggests that the provision of physical infrastructure has failed to keep pace with the enrolment of students in these specialised institutions.
The high density of students in a single room presents immediate sanitation and health risks. Medical experts often warn that such overcrowded environments facilitate the rapid spread of communicable diseases, which could be particularly dangerous in a boarding school setting. Additionally, the lack of privacy and the physical discomfort of sleeping on the floor may negatively impact the students’ ability to rest, which can hinder their academic concentration and performance.
Nasarawa State, which hosts a significant population of nomadic herders, relies on these schools to bridge the educational gap for its pastoralist citizens. Failure to provide decent living conditions could undermine the long-term goals of the National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE) and the state’s efforts to improve literacy rates among traditionally underserved populations.
Beyond health concerns, the overcrowding also poses security challenges. Ensuring the safety and supervision of 159 boys in a single room is a significant administrative burden for school staff, increasing the risk of incidents that could go unnoticed in such a congested environment.
While the school management has raised the alarm, there has been no immediate response from the Nasarawa State Ministry of Education regarding a timeline for the construction of additional hostels or the procurement of more bedding. The situation remains an urgent matter for the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and state authorities to address to prevent a further decline in the welfare of the pupils.
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