FG Engages Commissioners On Education Reform Agenda

The Federal Government has engaged with the 36 State and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioners of Education, along with Secretaries of Education, to address the growing challenges in Nigeria’s education sector.

The meeting, held yesterday in Abuja, centered on developing a comprehensive reform agenda where state commissioners key into government initiatives to improve educational standards in the country.

The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, while speaking at the stakeholders’ consultative engagement, emphasised that without the involvement of the states, the government’s efforts would be ineffective.

He stated that the Ministry was engaging with the commissioners to collaborate in addressing the increasing number of out-of-school children, and other challenges.

Alausa urged the commissioners to hold robust state-level meetings, stressing the importance of open dialogue and collaboration. “Digital literacy is very important to the government,” he said.

He also emphasised the government’s commitment to investing in technical and vocational education to enhance the skills of Nigerian graduates.

“Our priority interventions within Nigeria’s Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) for renewed hope are STEAM, TIVET, out-of-school children, girls’ education, data, and education quality assurance,” he noted.

“We will revamp Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TIVET) to equip graduates with skills that meet local and regional labor market demands.”

The Minister also called on Commissioners and Secretaries to
prioritise STEM and TVET at the state level by ensuring sufficient budgetary allocation and innovative partnerships with private-issector stakeholders.

He urged them to adopt localised strategies to identify and reintegrate out-of- school children, especially in conflict-prone areas, and expand alternative education programs for marginalized populations.

On her part, the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, stated that the Ministry is focused on reducing the number of out-of-school children.

She added, “Another key priority area is technical and vocational education, which will help our children cope with the demands of the 21st century.

“If we want to reduce the number of out-of-school children, we need to engage the states to work together and adopt strategies at the state level,” she said.