Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s education sector through improved teacher recruitment, training, and welfare.

Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa made this known yesterday while addressing participants at the 2025 KADA EduPACT International Summit held in Kaduna.

Alausa described teachers as central to any meaningful reform in the education system, noting that “no education reform can succeed without placing teachers at its core.”

He explained that the revitalisation of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, alongside the introduction of a new Teacher Internship and Quality Assurance Framework, are key components of the Federal Government’s drive to harmonise and improve teaching standards across the country.

The minister commended the Kaduna State Government for what he described as a practical and transformative approach to education reform. He pointed to several initiatives, including a 40% reduction in tuition fees at state-owned tertiary institutions, renewed investment in Kaduna State University, and a $62 million program focused on basic education.

“What we are witnessing in Kaduna today is not just progress. It is proof of concept that transformation is attainable when leadership is intentional and data-driven,” Alausa said.

He outlined the Federal Government’s education vision built on five strategic pillars: learner-centred education, equity and inclusion, digital literacy, resilience, and sustainability. The minister also called on state governments to align with global education standards, referencing the United Nations Transforming Education Summit and a recent international development finance conference in Spain.

“Education is a shared responsibility. Government cannot do it alone. Kaduna’s model of building strategic partnerships should be replicated in other states,” Alausa added.

The minister stressed that the education sector must equip learners with critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital skills, while also promoting inclusiveness and equity.

“Our vision must go beyond brick and mortar. It must address curriculum relevance, teacher quality, gender inclusion, and financing sustainability. We must reimagine Kaduna’s education model to be learner-centred and ensure no child is left behind,” he said.

Also speaking at the summit, Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani said education remains a powerful tool for personal and societal transformation. He revealed that his administration has adopted a unified, data-driven, and future-focused education strategy to replace fragmented interventions of the past.

“We believe a peaceful, prosperous, and secure society is built on the solid foundation of accessible, equitable, and high-quality education,” Governor Sani told a gathering of international development partners, federal officials, and local stakeholders.

He noted that despite global economic challenges, Kaduna has continued to prioritise education, including the use of technology to broaden access through digital and radio-based learning, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.

Key achievements by the state government, according to Sani, include the construction or rehabilitation of over 1,000 classrooms, commissioning of 62 new secondary schools, distribution of 1.48 million instructional materials, provision of 30,742 two-seater desks, and the deployment of real-time digital dashboards to monitor enrolment and performance.

“Our aim is simple: no child in Kaduna should be denied education because of financial barriers,” he said.

The governor also launched the “Reaching Out-of-School Children Project,” aimed at returning 300,000 children to school, describing the crisis of out-of-school children as “a stain on our collective conscience.”

In the area of higher education, Governor Sani disclosed that over ₦500 million has been invested in Kaduna State University, resulting in the National Universities Commission’s approval of 40 new academic programs for the 2024/2025 academic session.

“This expansion reflects our determination to increase academic access, foster innovation, and align university offerings with national needs and global trends,” he said.

The three-day EduPACT Summit is expected to end with the development of the Kaduna State Education Transformation Blueprint, which will align with national objectives and international education commitments.