The Minister of Education in Nigeria, Prof. Mamman Tahir, has revealed the roadmap for the education sector’s activities for the period 2024-2027. The roadmap prioritizes basic education and aims to reduce the number of out-of-school children by 15 million. To achieve this goal, the ministry has initiated the establishment of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children. It has also approved a policy on Early Child Care Development in Education (ECCDE) and engaged with state governments to address obstacles affecting the optimal utilization of Universal Basic Education funds.
The theme for the next three years is “Education for Renewed Hope Agenda: Roadmap for the Nigerian Education Sector 2024-2027.” The roadmap was subjected to stakeholders’ review, adoption, and approval for implementation by the National Council on Education.
The minister emphasized the need for Nigeria to address the challenge of having the highest number of out-of-school children globally. The roadmap aims to return 15 million out-of-school children to classrooms by 2027. The focus includes strengthening foundational and basic education, integrating non-formal schools into formal systems, scaling up adult literacy and non-formal education interventions, and increasing opportunities for girl-child education.
The ministry also plans to foster partnerships with all tiers of government and development partners. The roadmap highlights the commitment to improving governance accountability, coordination, and a focus on results at all levels. It calls for increased public financing, transparent and timely release of funds, and joint efforts by federal and state governments for efficient program execution.
The education sector’s roadmap is part of broader efforts to enhance the quality and accessibility of education in Nigeria, contributing to the country’s socio-economic development.