Data will provide solutions to out-of-school challenge – FG

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, said the Federal Government is adopting a data-driven approach to address Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis, alongside sweeping reforms aimed at modernising and cleaning up the education system. Speaking during a media parley in Abuja, Dr. Alausa explained that the government is determined to use reliable, verifiable data […]

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, said the Federal Government is adopting a data-driven approach to address Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis, alongside sweeping reforms aimed at modernising and cleaning up the education system.

Speaking during a media parley in Abuja, Dr. Alausa explained that the government is determined to use reliable, verifiable data to design targeted interventions that will bring millions of children back into classrooms.

“One of the greatest challenges in solving the out-of-school problem has been the lack of accurate data. We are now using data to map communities, identify children who are out of school, and understand the barriers they face—whether economic, cultural, or infrastructural,” he said.

The Ministry launched a nationwide campaign in late 2024 in collaboration with the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education. The initiative specifically targets enrolling out-of-school and Almajiri children—especially within the FCT—with the government covering the full cost of enrolment during official handover ceremonies in November 2024.

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At the heart of broader reforms is the introduction of a unified fee structure across all universities, aimed at eliminating arbitrary charges and restoring fairness in higher education.

“Going forward, all universities will adopt a standardized and unified fee structure. This will remove the inconsistencies and exploitation that have characterized tuition and departmental charges in the past. With NELFUND loans supporting students, every fee will be clearly defined, transparent, and uniform across our universities,” Dr. Alausa said.

He said the reform would ease the financial strain on families while restoring public trust in institutions that have long been criticized for unfair and inconsistent billing practices.

Beyond funding, Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the central role of technology in reshaping Nigeria’s education sector.

He outlined initiatives such as deploying solar-powered infrastructure to schools, providing tablets for teachers, introducing digital literacy at all levels, and integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into lesson delivery.

Already, the Federal Government has launched an AI training programme targeting 6,000 selected senior secondary school teachers across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with an “AI in Education Task Force” established to drive integration into classrooms.

“Technology must play a central role in transforming education,” he said. “Leveraging digital tools, solar solutions, and AI-driven teaching methods will not only enhance lesson delivery but also prepare Nigerian students for global competitiveness.”

Curriculum reform also features prominently on the minister’s agenda. He announced the overhaul of Nigeria’s basic education curriculum to reflect 21st-century realities, critical thinking, digital skills, innovation, and civic responsibility.

Developed in collaboration with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the new curriculum places stronger emphasis on civic education, entrepreneurship, digital skills, and life-readiness competencies. A comprehensive teacher reorientation programme is also planned to ensure effective classroom delivery of the updated modules.

Linked to this is the government’s recognition of nutrition as a vital factor in learning outcomes. Dr. Alausa pledged support for school feeding programmes—particularly in early childhood and primary education—highlighting their potential to boost cognitive performance, reduce absenteeism, and increase enrolment.

Reforms also extend to infrastructure and teacher development. The Ministry has approved ₦80 billion for the upgrade of Nigeria’s national unity schools, covering rehabilitation, security, fencing, and solar installations—a scale of investment described as unprecedented in recent history. Similarly, 38 federal and state technical colleges are being modernized under a dual-training model that emphasizes 80 percent hands-on training and 20 percent theory, with a goal of training five million youth within four years.

To strengthen grassroots involvement, the Ministry rolled out the School-Based Management Committee – School Improvement Programme (SBMC-SIP) alongside the Teacher Professional Development Programme, under UBEC. Launched in July 2025, these initiatives are funded by the UBE Intervention Fund and target the delivery of 7,200 new school facilities, 1.68 million desks, 195,000 renovated classrooms, 22,900 boreholes, 28,000 toilets, and improved fencing for rural schools.

Data consolidation is another priority. Through the Nigeria Education Data Initiative (NEDI/NERDI), the government is aggregating datasets from JAMB, WAEC, UBEC, NECO, and NYSC into a live education dashboard, planned to go live by mid-2025, to enable real-time tracking of student progress.

Other interventions include the publication of 50 locally authored tertiary-level academic textbooks under TETFund’s Higher Education Book Development Intervention Project, with another 60 titles expected by the end of 2025.

On accountability, Dr. Alausa underscored that transparency and discipline would be non-negotiable in tackling exam malpractice and misconduct among academics.

“The Exam Malpractice Act should be fully enforced to prosecute offenders, while institutions must establish strong safeguards to curb mass cheating,” he said. “As for lecturers, those found guilty of unethical conduct are already being dismissed through due process. We must protect the integrity of our education system.”

He compared the sector’s potential to that of Nigeria’s health industry, where the country already produces some of the world’s best nurses. “If education can replicate that success by harnessing technology and strengthening teacher capacity, we will not only solve local challenges but also enhance our global reputation,” he added.

The minister further called for an urgent review of Nigeria’s overloaded curriculum, which currently includes 76 examinable subjects in WAEC and 80 in JAMB. “This bloated curriculum dilutes focus. We must streamline it so that students can learn relevant, impactful content that prepares them for the future,” he stressed.

On governance, he insisted that university governing councils remain central to oversight, noting that he personally reviews detailed reports from councils rather than summaries. He also urged journalists to play a stronger watchdog role, holding state governors and lawmakers accountable for decisions affecting federal institutions—particularly where political interference disrupts appointments of vice-chancellors.

Dr. Alausa closed by praising the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for its contributions to financing key educational initiatives, stressing that lasting reform lies in leveraging technology, modernizing curricula, standardizing processes, and aligning education with labour market demands.

“Since assuming office, our reforms have been bold, forward-looking, and focused on modernization, accountability, and sustainability,” he concluded. “With data at the centre of our plans, we will not only clean up the education system but also solve the out-of-school problem that has plagued Nigeria for decades.”