The Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa had outlined his ambitious plans to enroll 10 million out-of-school children into the formal education system within the next two years, with a focus on foundational learning.
To support this effort, the government will distribute 103 million textbooks to students and has already disbursed N42.8 billion to 440,000 applicants under the students’ loan scheme.
Alausa, announced a major infrastructure drive to bridge the 43% deficit in educational facilities across the country.
Key projects include the renovations of 195,000 classrooms, Construction of 28,000 toilets, Drilling of 22,900 boreholes, Building of 14,700 perimeter fences for schools.
Further investments in education include the construction of 7,200 new schools, training of 9,788 teachers, and provision of two million teaching aids.
To address the skills gap in the country, the government will introduce a six-month free skills training program, targeting two million job vacancies in the sector.
The minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education through the Digital Training Academy, which will equip students with industry-relevant skills.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, stating that history will judge him kindly for his reforms.
He maintained that while initial economic pains were inevitable, the positive impact of government policies was beginning to materialize.
“The country has crossed the Rubicon, and the pains are gradually easing as the effects of these reforms take hold. The reduction in food prices, exchange rate stability, and the gradual decline in petroleum product prices are clear indicators that our policies are working,” Idris stated.
