The Federal Government of Nigeria has advocated urgent and synergized approach to solve Nigeria’s educational challenges.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa made the call at the Education Sector Stakeholders’ Consultative Dialogue held on Wednesday at the UBEC Digital Resource Centre, Kado in Abuja.
While addressing both federal and state officials, development partners, and education advocates, Alausa stressed the need for innovation, accountability, and strategic partnerships to revitalize the education sector whilst unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s youth.
Alusa however, noted that current outcomes remain below expectations, also acknowledging the significant backing from partners such as UNESCO, UNICEF, USAID, the European Union, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the Global Partnership for Education.
He urged stakeholders to redouble efforts to ensure investments yield measurable results.
Highlighting key statistics, Dr. Alausa painted a sobering picture of the education sector: 20 million children remain out of school, with nearly half having never attended school, and learning poverty reaching alarming levels. These challenges, compounded by a rapidly growing population projected to hit 350 million by 2050, underscore the urgent need for innovative solutions.
The minister craved all stakeholders’ indulgence—government bodies, development partners, the private sector, and civil society—to embrace a collaborative spirit.
In his words; “Education is not just an investment in our children; it is the foundation of our nation’s future. With dedication, innovation, and strategic action, we will transform Nigeria’s education landscape.”
“To address these challenges, the Ministry of Education has outlined three strategic priorities: Equitable Access, Skill Development, and Governance and Data Management. These priorities aim to expand access to education, promote STEM and vocational education, and establish a robust National Education Management Information System (NEMIS)”, he added
Speaking earlier, Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad while welcoming stakeholders, emphasized the importance of synergy to overcome challenges such as infrastructural decay, inadequate funding, and teacher capacity development. She reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to achieving inclusive, quality education as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr. Layi, Coordinator of the Education Sector Wide Approach, shared the next steps in transforming Nigeria’s education sector include the reactivation of existing structures to improve education service delivery, as well as collaboration with development partners and the private sector to support education initiatives. Technical working groups will be established to drive education sector reforms, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will be developed to measure progress and hold stakeholders accountable.
The Education Sector Stakeholders Consultative Dialogue marks the beginning of a renewed commitment to ensuring that every investment in education yields tangible results. With dedication, innovation, and strategic action, Nigeria’s education landscape is set for transformation.
