By Peter Omopo
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to building an inclusive, equitable and future-ready education system, with Nigerian youths positioned as key partners in transforming the nation’s learning landscape.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, to mark the 2026 International Day of Education.
According to the statement, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, spoke at the International Day of Education celebration held in Abuja, themed “The Power of Youth in Co-creating Education.” He described education as the foundation of civilisation, peace and sustainable development, while acknowledging persistent challenges such as access gaps, learning poverty, skills mismatches and gender disparities at both national and global levels.
Dr Alausa noted that ongoing reforms in the education sector are anchored on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places education at the centre of national renewal, economic growth and social transformation.
He highlighted improved funding for education through increased budgetary allocations, innovative non-budgetary financing and strengthened partnerships with international development partners, stressing that these measures are critical to implementing far-reaching and systemic reforms.
The Minister outlined key interventions under the Ministry’s Education Transformation Roadmap, including curriculum rationalisation to promote critical thinking, creativity and industry-relevant skills; accelerated digitalisation through smart learning platforms and national education data systems; enhanced teacher capacity for modern pedagogy and artificial intelligence; expanded technical and vocational education; improved infrastructure; and the introduction of a National Anti-Bullying Policy to ensure safe and inclusive learning environments.
Emphasising that more than half of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 30, Dr Alausa described the nation’s youth as its greatest strength. He explained that the Ministry is shifting from traditional top-down education models to a participatory system that empowers learners as co-creators through innovation hubs, digital fluency, structured feedback mechanisms and skills aligned with 21st-century economic demands.
The Minister cited measurable achievements, including the rollout of the Nigerian Education Sector Renewed Initiative (NESRI); deployment of TVET learners across accredited centres nationwide; repositioning of TVET as a driver of employment and entrepreneurship; expanded enrolment in medical, STEMM and nursing education; broadened scholarship opportunities; student venture capital and staff support funding; improved education data transparency; accelerated digital learning; and targeted interventions for out-of-school and Almajiri children.
He also highlighted progress in access and inclusion through the integration of thousands of children into formal and non-formal education, expanded girl-child education under the AGILE programme and the LUMINAH 2030 Initiative, enhanced school safety frameworks and strengthened quality assurance across all levels of education.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), Dr Alausa called on parents, communities, civil society organisations, the media and the private sector to deepen collaboration with government in establishing innovation hubs, laboratories and skills centres to prepare young Nigerians for a rapidly evolving global economy.
“By empowering our youth to co-create education, we are not merely reforming classrooms; we are safeguarding Nigeria’s future, strengthening national unity and unlocking the full potential of the next generation,” he said.
The Minister commended Nigerian teachers for their dedication and resilience, urged students to continue shaping education policy through innovation and engagement, and reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to lifelong learning opportunities for all Nigerians.
