The Federal Government has restated its resolve to provide inclusive, equitable and future-ready education, placing Nigerian youth at the centre of efforts to transform the country’s learning system, as Nigeria marked the 2026 International Day of Education.
Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, stated this at the 2026 International Day of Education celebration in Abuja, themed “The Power of Youth in Co-creating Education.” He described education as the bedrock of civilisation, peace and sustainable development, while acknowledging persistent global and national challenges, including access gaps, learning poverty, skills mismatches and gender disparities.
According to the Minister, ongoing reforms in the education sector are anchored on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which places education at the heart of national renewal, economic growth and social transformation.
He said the government has improved funding for education through increased budgetary allocations, non-budgetary financing and stronger partnerships with international development partners, to implement bold and systemic reforms across the sector.
Dr Alausa outlined key interventions under the Ministry’s Education Transformation Roadmap. These include curriculum rationalisation to promote critical thinking, creativity and industry-relevant skills; accelerated digitalisation through smart learning platforms and national education data systems; and strengthened teacher capacity to support modern pedagogy and artificial intelligence.
Other interventions, he said, include the expansion of technical and vocational education, improved education infrastructure and the introduction of a National Anti-Bullying Policy to ensure safe, inclusive and learner-friendly environments across schools.
The Minister emphasised that with over half of Nigeria’s population under the age of 30, the country’s greatest strength lies in its youth, adding that education policies must reflect this demographic reality.
He explained that the Ministry is moving away from traditional top-down education models to a participatory system that empowers learners as co-creators through innovation hubs, digital fluency programmes, feedback mechanisms and skills development aligned with the demands of the 21st-century economy.
Highlighting measurable achievements, Dr Alausa cited the rollout of the Nigerian Education Sector Renewed Initiative (NESRI); deployment of TVET learners across accredited centres nationwide; repositioning of TVET as a major driver of employment and entrepreneurship; expanded enrolment in medical, STEMM and nursing education; refocused and expanded 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 further noted progress in access and inclusion, including the integration of thousands of children into formal and non-formal education, expanded girl-child education through the AGILE programme and the LUMINAH 2030 Initiative, enhanced school safety frameworks and strengthened quality assurance across basic, secondary and tertiary education.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), the Minister 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 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.
He commended Nigerian teachers for their dedication and resilience, urged students to continue shaping education policy through innovation and engagement, and reiterated the administration’s commitment to providing lifelong learning opportunities nationwide efforts
