Much work remains to be done on quality education- Alausa

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has acknowledged that despite ongoing reforms and investments in Nigeria’s education sector, “much work remains to be done” to provide quality and equitable education for Nigerian children.

Alausa made the admission in his Independence Day message to Nigerians on Thursday, stressing the need to strengthen foundational learning, improve teacher development, expand technical and skills education, promote research and innovation and provide safe and conducive learning environments.

He said, “Much work remains to be done. We must continue to strengthen foundational learning, improve teacher development, expand skills and technical education, promote research and innovation, and provide safe and conducive learning environments where every Nigerian child has the opportunity to learn, develop and fulfil their potential.”

The minister said education remained central to Nigeria’s human capital development, social mobility, innovation and sustainable national development, noting that the country’s future was closely linked to the quality of education provided for its children and young people.

According to him, the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and through the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), is pursuing reforms to expand access to education, strengthen institutions, support learners, and improve teacher quality.

Alausa added that the reforms were also designed to promote technical and vocational education and equip young Nigerians with the knowledge and skills required to contribute to national development.

He pledged to work with governments at all levels, teachers, parents, students, education stakeholders and development partners to build an education system that is “accessible, equitable, innovative and responsive to the needs of a changing world.”

The minister also urged young Nigerians to remain hopeful, disciplined and committed to excellence, stressing that their knowledge, character, creativity and skills were essential to building the country.