The Nigerian government has made a firm commitment to substantially decrease the number of out-of-school children and lift 39 million youngsters out of what it terms “Learning Poverty.” This initiative involves concrete steps to address these pressing challenges.

According to the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN, Nigeria is currently grappling with an estimated 15 million out-of-school children. The concept of Learning Poverty, as outlined by the minister, signifies the inability of a child up to 12 years old to read, write, or comprehend basic numerical concepts.

Speaking at the ministerial session of the 67th National Council on Education (NCE) meeting in Lagos, Prof. Mamman emphasized that the government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, is unwavering in its determination to revitalize the education sector with the goal of achieving significant progress in the foreseeable future.

He underscored the administration’s commitment to a comprehensive overhaul of the education sector, aligning with President Tinubu’s development agenda. The Federal Ministry of Education has initiated a structured roadmap aimed at realigning the education system with the contemporary socio-economic dynamics of the 21st century.

The roadmap centers on critical areas such as out-of-school children, girl-child education, skills development, and entrepreneurship education. The overarching objective is to elevate the standard of basic education by fostering inclusivity, revitalizing the curriculum at all levels, enhancing teaching methodologies, and fostering professional development, among other vital reforms.

At the heart of the Ministry of Education’s strategic thrust is the imperative to bolster access to basic education, particularly for out-of-school children.

The government’s concerted efforts to address the plight of out-of-school children and combat Learning Poverty underscore its unwavering commitment to fostering a more inclusive and robust educational landscape for the youth of Nigeria.