By Ƙabiru Haruna AD Press FME
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has inaugurated the Government–Private Sector Working Group, underscoring the vital role of private sector collaboration in revitalizing Nigeria’s education system.
Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Alausa described the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiatives (NESRI) as a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming the nation’s educational landscape. He emphasized 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.
Dr. Alausa outlined the terms of reference for the Working Group, which include:
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 urged members to work closely to move Nigeria from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy, assuring that the Ministry will partner with the private sector to improve access to quality education through the Working Group.
Earlier, the Director of Education Planning, Research, and Development (DEPR&D), Mrs. Obianuju Anigbogu, revealed that the Working Group emerged from a series of stakeholder meetings aimed at fostering educational development.
In her acceptance speech, Dr. (Mrs.) Angela Ajala reaffirmed the private sector’s commitment to shaping and transforming the education sector for the benefit of all Nigerians, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Committee Members are:
Government Sector:
Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa – Chairman
Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad – Co-Chair
Mrs. Obianuju Anigbogu – DEPR&D
Dr. (Mrs.) O.F. Olatunji David – DBE
Mrs. Abdulkadir D. Binta – DSSE
Mr. Adegboye A. Adebola – DoFEQAS
Dr. Garba Aisha – ES UBEC
Dr. Iyala Ajayi – NSSEC
Prof. Salisu Shehu – ES NERD
Private Sector:
Hon. Orji Emmanuel
Dr. Samira Jibrin
Dr. (Mrs.) Angela Ajala
Alhaji Obalekan Abdulwahid
Mrs. Yinka Ogumade
Mrs. Akinyeniju
Chief Lai Koko
Hajiya Maryam Magaji
Dr. Alausa concluded by stressing that through robust government–private partnerships, Nigeria can achieve a renewed and inclusive education system that will prepare its citizens for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.