The Federal Government has unveiled plans to bring over one million out-of-school children back into the education system through a nationwide initiative aimed at tackling one of Nigeria’s most pressing developmental challenges.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the plan during the 69th National Council on Education summit held in Akure. The summit, themed “Quality Education Data and Professionalisation of Teaching: Tools for Enhanced National Development,” brought together key stakeholders to chart a course for improving access, quality, and inclusion in the education sector.
Alausa explained that children from more than 12,000 communities across the country would be enrolled, with particular focus on those between the ages of six and nine. Many will be placed in low-cost private schools, while others will benefit from a partnership with the Almajiri Commission, which provides education and vocational training to vulnerable children.
He revealed that over 21,000 out-of-school children had already been identified across Abuja and handed over to the FCT Education Secretariat for enrolment. To support the drive, the ministry has established 109 functional learning and transition centres in all 36 states and the FCT, through which more than 15,000 learners have so far been integrated.
To promote inclusion, the government has introduced a hybrid curriculum that blends Quranic education with literacy, numeracy, and civic studies, allowing children from religious backgrounds to access formal learning without losing their cultural identity. Alausa also highlighted the role of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Legacy Skills and Training Institute, which now serves as a model for equipping out-of-school youths and Almajiri children with employable skills.
The minister urged participants at the summit to commit to building an education system that is data-driven, inclusive, and globally competitive.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, who hosted the summit, commended President Tinubu’s commitment to education and human capital development. He praised initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which has provided financial aid to more than 624,000 students in public tertiary institutions, bridging the gap between rich and poor in access to higher education.
Aiyedatiwa stressed the need for collective action to restore the dignity of the teaching profession, calling for improved welfare, recognition, and continuous professional development for teachers. He also noted that his administration has made significant investments in digital education to prepare students for the demands of the modern economy.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, said the council meeting was aimed at advancing Nigeria’s education system in line with global best practices, assuring that all resolutions reached would be implemented to drive meaningful reform.
Ondo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to data-driven education reforms. He said the state had invested in technology-based learning environments to enhance teaching and nurture the next generation of leaders.
He encouraged participants to contribute ideas that would strengthen Nigeria’s education system and ensure that every child, regardless of background, has access to quality learning.
