Federal Government says it is intensifying reforms to reduce out-of-school children in Nigeria at a national education Boot Camp summit in Jos

The Federal Government has said it is intensifying efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria through coordinated reforms and targeted interventions aimed at strengthening access to basic education across the country.

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The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, made this known on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, at the ongoing 2026 Basic Education in Nigeria Boot Camp Summit holding in Jos, Plateau State.

The three-day summit, themed “Enhancing Access to Inclusive Quality Education and Bridging the Gap for Out-of-School Children in Nigeria”, brings together policymakers, education stakeholders and development partners to address challenges in the sector.

Alausa said the gathering comes at a critical moment in Nigeria’s education reform journey, stressing the need for urgent and coordinated action to address persistent gaps in access and quality.

He noted that despite ongoing reforms, Nigeria continues to face a significant number of out-of-school children alongside systemic challenges affecting learning outcomes.

According to him, issues such as inadequate infrastructure, shortage of qualified teachers, weak foundational literacy and numeracy, and unequal access to resources remain major concerns.

The minister said the Federal Ministry of Education is implementing reforms focused on curriculum improvement, teacher training, digital learning integration and stronger monitoring systems to improve outcomes at the foundational level.

He added that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, government interventions are being expanded to include alternative learning pathways, open schooling and digital platforms to reach underserved communities.

Stakeholders at the summit also highlighted the scale of the challenge, describing the situation as a major barrier to national development if left unaddressed.

A lead presentation delivered by a guest scholar, Titus Syengo from Kenya and Executive Director of Teaching at the Right Level Africa, emphasised the urgency of strengthening foundational education systems across the region.

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo, said the issue of out-of-school children represents lost opportunities and long-term socio-economic risks if not urgently addressed.

He outlined ongoing interventions in the state, including the construction and renovation of classrooms, provision of school furniture, and drilling of boreholes to improve learning conditions.

Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Sai’di Ahmad, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive education, noting that reforms are aimed at expanding access and improving retention rates nationwide.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Abel Enitan, said the Boot Camp was designed to translate policy discussions into practical solutions capable of addressing barriers to education access.

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The summit is expected to produce a communique outlining strategies for identifying and reintegrating out-of-school children into the education system while improving retention and completion rates.