The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has showcased significant successes recorded in the education sector under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, asserting that these achievements will positively impact generations to come. The minister made this known yesterday during a special roundtable session at the Education World Forum (EWF) held in London, United Kingdom, where he engaged with education ministers and global stakeholders on Nigeria’s foundational learning reforms.
Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Initiatives
Speaking on Nigeria’s Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) initiatives, Dr Alausa stated that the country has successfully unified foundational literacy delivery under a single national standard, covering both formal and non-formal education systems. He explained, “We are scaling RANA for Primary 1 to 3 and Teaching at the Right Level for Primary 4 to 6 across 15 states through the Universal Basic Education (UBEC). This approach uses structured lesson plans, weekly teacher coaching, and regular assessments.”
Accelerated Basic Education Programme
A statement by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, quoted Dr Alausa as highlighting the Accelerated Basic Education Programme (ABEP), developed by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council. This programme delivers the same foundational literacy and numeracy outcomes for out-of-school children and adolescents within three years, ensuring no child is left behind.
State-Led Reforms Delivering Results
The minister spotlighted several state-led reforms that are already yielding measurable outcomes. He cited programmes such as EKOEXCEL, KwaraLEARN, and BayelsaPRIME as exemplary models of data-driven and technology-enabled teaching. “The impact is measurable. KwaraLEARN halved foundational learning deficiencies in less than two years, while BayelsaPRIME improved literacy by 20 percentage points in just 19 weeks. The model is working, and we are now scaling it nationally,” Dr Alausa emphasized.
Policy and Funding Reforms
On policy and funding reforms, Dr Alausa noted that foundational literacy and numeracy now sit at the centre of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the National Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Programme. He disclosed that the Federal Government is finalising a National Policy on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy to provide a sustainable legal and institutional framework for reforms across federal, state, and non-formal education systems. This policy aims to ensure long-term commitment and continuity in improving educational outcomes across Nigeria.
