The Federal Government has rolled out sweeping reforms to tackle Nigeria’s education challenges, with special focus on reducing out-of-school children, boosting technical training, and modernising schools.
Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, disclosed the plans at a media parley in Abuja, stressing that the reforms are designed to “clean up the system, restore standards, and prepare Nigerian children to compete and thrive globally.”
At the heart of the reforms is the Basic Education Transformation Agenda (BETA), which links conditional cash transfers to mothers with school enrollment, alongside a nationwide Back2School Drive. The initiative, run with the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, will see government cover full enrollment costs during official handovers.
The basic education curriculum has also been revised to meet 21st-century needs, with emphasis on critical thinking, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and civic responsibility.
Alausa announced a N120 billion overhaul of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Beginning from the 2025/2026 academic session, students in federal and state technical colleges will enjoy free tuition, feeding, uniforms, boarding, and safety kits. They will also receive N22,500 monthly stipends.
Training will be 80% practical and 20% theory, with certified trainers and strong industry partnerships. The government aims to train five million youths in four years.
To align with manpower needs in health, energy, and technology, the government has introduced the STEMM Nigeria Agenda (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medical Sciences). A STEMM Up Grant worth up to N50 million will support undergraduate-led innovations across universities.
Scholarships for postgraduate and undergraduate students have been raised by 50 percent: PhD students will now receive N750,000 annually, Master’s students N600,000, and undergraduates N450,000. The National Student Loan Programme has already disbursed N77 billion to 396,000 students in 210 institutions.
The government has set aside N80 billion for the rehabilitation of unity schools, while 38 technical colleges are undergoing full modernisation. Teacher development is also central, with 270 technical teachers trained in Ibadan in digital literacy and trade-specific skills, and 6,000 senior secondary teachers undergoing AI training nationwide.
The reforms further include a national anti-bullying policy, expanded nutrition and school feeding schemes, health insurance for Almajiri children tied to enrollment, and girl-focused projects such as LUMINAH 2030 and the AGILE project. Partnerships like the BRIDGE programme are linking Nigerian academics in the diaspora with local institutions, while renewable energy and mechanised farming modules are being integrated into universities.
To improve accountability, the government has launched an education data dashboard for real-time monitoring of enrollment and outcomes. Engagement with governors has also improved UBEC matching grant uptake, with 27 states and the FCT accessing N78.6 billion—a 65 percent rise from last year.
On global collaboration, Alausa highlighted the ongoing €38 million ICT project funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) across 10 universities, which will strengthen digital infrastructure and hybrid learning.
“The era of piecemeal responses to education is over,” Alausa declared. “This is a coordinated, well-funded, and forward-looking plan to secure the future of Nigerian children.”