Celebrating a Man Steadfast in Service
As the Honourable Minister of Education marks his 58th birthday, it is appropriate to reflect on the progress recorded under his stewardship of Nigeria’s education sector.
In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Minister has identified six strategic pillars to guide systemic reform: promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM) education; reducing the number of out-of-school children; advancing technical and vocational education and training (TVET); championing girl-child education; embracing data and digitalisation; and strengthening quality assurance mechanisms.
A notable milestone is the unveiling of the 2024–2027 education roadmap, which outlines ambitious targets, including the reintegration of 15 million out-of-school children into classrooms. This initiative has led to the establishment of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children and the approval of new policies on Early Child Care Development in Education (ECCDE).
To address the growing concern of insecurity in schools, the Federal Government allocated ₦15 billion under the 2023 budget towards the Safe Schools Initiative, aimed at safeguarding learning environments, particularly in areas affected by conflict and instability.
Equally significant is the renewed emphasis on skills acquisition through TVET. The Ministry continues to prioritise equipping young Nigerians with practical, market-relevant skills to meet both local and global labour demands. In addition, over 850 educators and stakeholders have undergone training in new teaching methodologies, reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to improving classroom practice and learning outcomes.
While much remains to be done, these interventions demonstrate a clear vision for long-term improvement. We look forward to seeing these reforms come to full fruition and contribute to a more inclusive, resilient, and forward-looking education system.
We extend our warm congratulations to the Honourable Minister on the occasion of his 58th birthday and wish him continued strength and wisdom in the pursuit of a stronger education sector for all.
Many happy returns from Edutimes Africa Team.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.