The Federal Government has restated its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s education sector by prioritizing teacher recruitment, training, and motivation, describing educators as the foundation of sustainable reform.
Speaking at the 2025 KADA EduPACT International Summit in Kaduna on Wednesday, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, emphasized that no meaningful education reform could succeed without placing teachers at the heart of policy efforts.
“Teachers are the cornerstone of transformation in education. Without their empowerment, reforms will not work,” Alausa said.
He also highlighted the government’s ongoing revitalisation of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria and the rollout of a new Teacher Internship and Quality Assurance Framework as key steps to harmonize and raise teaching standards nationwide.
Furthermore, Dr. Alausa commended Governor Uba Sani’s administration, describing Kaduna’s approach as a practical model for national adoption. He pointed to a 40% tuition reduction in state tertiary institutions, renewed funding for Kaduna State University, and a $62 million basic education initiative as proof of strategic leadership.
“What we’re seeing in Kaduna is not just progress; it is evidence that education transformation is possible with intentional, data-driven leadership,” he said.
The minister unveiled a five-pillar vision for national education:Learner-centered teaching,Equity and inclusion,Digital literacy,System resilience,Sustainability
He urged other states to adopt global benchmarks, citing lessons from the UN Transforming Education Summit and a recent international education finance conference in Spain.
Alausa stressed that effective reform must go beyond physical structures to include curriculum relevance, gender equity, teacher quality, and sustainable financing.
“Kaduna’s model must also equip learners with digital skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. We must ensure that no child is left behind,” he added.
Governor Uba Sani, in his address, emphasized that education reform is essential for national development. He noted that his government had adopted a unified, data-driven, and tech-enabled education strategy, even amid economic challenges.
Moreover, Key achievements include:Over 1,000 classrooms built or renovated 62 new secondary schools commissioned 1.48 million instructional materials distributed,742 two-seater desks provideDeployment of digital dashboards to track student data,40% reduction in tertiary tuition fees
“Our goal is simple: no child in Kaduna should be denied education due to financial barriers,” Sani said, revealing a surge in tertiary enrolment since the tuition cut.
He also launched the Reaching Out-of-School Children Project, targeting the return of 300,000 children to the classroom. He described the growing out-of-school population as “a stain on our collective conscience.”
The governor noted that his administration had invested over ₦500 million in Kaduna State University, which enabled the approval of 40 new academic programs by the National Universities Commission for the 2024/2025 academic session.
“This reflects our commitment to broadening academic access, promoting innovation, and aligning university offerings with global and national needs,” he said.
The three-day EduPACT Summit is expected to conclude with the launch of a Kaduna State Education Transformation Blueprint, designed to align with national and international development goals.
