Girl-child Education Is A Priority - Minister

Alausa released a statement celebrating the brilliance, and contributions of women in Nigeria.

He said, “From our classrooms to our communities, Nigerian women continue to shape the present and inspire the future.”

He highlighted the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) as a key effort, noting that “Girl-child education is a key priority.”

The minister praised Suwaiba Ahmad, Minister of State for Education, and other women directors in the ministry.

He said their “passion and dedication have continued to inspire and drive positive change in the education sector. Together, we will continue working to empower every Nigerian girl to learn, lead, and thrive.”

In September 2024, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported Nigeria faces an education crisis, with 10.2 million primary school-age children and 8.1 million junior secondary school-age children out of school.

UNICEF also stated that 74 percent of children aged 7–14 lack basic reading and numeracy skills, linking part of the issue to insecurity, including 19 school attacks between 2022 and 2023 and the closure of 113 schools in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.

Alausa spoke about the need for stronger collaboration between federal and subnational governments to reduce the burden of Almajiri and out-of-school children.

He emphasized shared efforts as essential to address the longstanding challenge.