The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has inaugurated the Government–Private Sector Working Group (GPSWG) at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, describing it as a major milestone in the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).
The GPSWG is designed to strengthen collaboration between government and private stakeholders to transform Nigeria’s education system.
According to Dr. Alausa, “This move reflects the administration’s resolve to reposition education, address learning poverty affecting millions of children aged 5–14, and equip youth with globally competitive skills.”
The group’s terms of reference include aligning with national priorities, engaging with the Ministry’s transformative agenda, building an equitable and innovative education ecosystem, providing a platform for private sector engagement, and offering actionable recommendations for sustainable development.
The GPSWG is made up of nine government representatives led by Dr. Alausa as Chairman, Prof. Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad as Co-Chair, four Ministry Directors, and three Executive Secretaries representing UBEC, NERDC, and NSSEC. In addition, eight members were drawn from the private sector.
Dr. Alausa urged members to show dedication and innovation, stressing the importance of shifting Nigeria from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy driven by education, technology, and research.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Obianuju Anigbogu of the Department of Educational Planning, Research and Development explained that the initiative was developed following broad stakeholder consultations. Representing the private sector, Dr. Angela Ajala pledged, “We are fully committed to advancing Nigeria’s education sector and ensuring that private sector expertise contributes meaningfully to national development.”
This development highlights government efforts to drive education reform, encourage public-private partnerships, and strengthen youth empowerment initiatives across Nigeria.