The Federal Government has earmarked N2bn for the professionalisation of 250,000 teachers by 2027 under its Accelerated Teacher Professionalisation Pathway (ATPP), as part of a broader push to elevate teaching standards and enhance learning outcomes across the country.
What are the key education reforms introduced by the administration?
Unveiled in an A-Z publication titled 'From Reform to Results' in Abuja, the initiative represents one of 26 major interventions deployed by President Bola Tinubu's administration. The strategy aims to overhaul Nigeria's educational landscape through educator empowerment, infrastructure rehabilitation, digital transformation, and expanded access. According to the document released under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), the ATPP focuses on teacher certification and licensing, with an initial cohort of 51,794 registered educators. Additionally, 53,553 teachers have signed up on the EduRevamp platform to support continuous capacity building.
How is the government addressing tertiary education and student financing?
In higher education, the document spotlighted a fresh agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), granting a 40 percent pay rise for academic staff alongside revised allowances. Furthermore, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has processed 1,659,853 applications, disbursing N372.62bn across 319 beneficiary institutions for institutional fees and upkeep allowances. Enrollment figures have also surged, with annual nursing intakes rising from 28,000 to 115,000, while medical and dental admissions increased from 5,000 to 12,000.
What measures are being taken to tackle out-of-school children and vocational training?
To curb out-of-school rates, particularly across 17 northern states, the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) programme remains active. Over one million out-of-school children, including Almajiri youths, have been reintegrated through specialized bilingual learning centers and Tsangaya teacher training. Meanwhile, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative has attracted over 2.8 million applicants, with N65.7bn disbursed in stipends and start-up grants to verified trainees.
What other digital and infrastructural upgrades are underway?
Under the HOPE-Education scheme backed by $552m from the World Bank, foundational learning is being targeted across 29 million children and 65,000 public schools. Digital integration features the mapping of 40 million learners under the National Education Data Infrastructure, the deployment of 1,000 smart boards nationwide, and the installation of solar mini-grids across 37 federal universities and seven teaching hospitals to bolster sustainable campus energy.