Maruf Olatunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, has inaugurated the Government–Private Sector Working Group to boost private sector collaboration in revitalising Nigeria’s education system.
Speaking at the inauguration, Alausa described the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiatives (NESRI) as proof of the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming the nation’s educational sector. He emphasised that private sector engagement must align with NESRI to drive collaborative efforts aimed at repositioning the sector for a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria. Highlighting the urgency of the task ahead, the Minister noted that millions of children aged 5–14 suffer from learning poverty, making it imperative to bridge the gap and equip Nigerian youth with the skills needed to thrive in a global economy.
Alausa outlined the terms of reference for the Working Group:
- Strengthening collaboration and aligning with national priorities.
- Engaging directly with the Ministry’s new direction and transformative agenda for education.
- Building a more robust, equitable, and innovative education ecosystem.
- Exchanging ideas and insights between the government and the private sector.
- Making informed recommendations and charting the way forward.
He tasked members to work together to move Nigeria from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy, assuring that his Ministry will partner with the private sector to improve access to quality education through the Working Group.
