The Federal Government has intensified efforts to address Nigeria’s education challenges through data-driven reforms, strategic investments, and stronger collaboration aimed at improving access to quality learning and boosting outcomes across the country.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, at the 2026 Basic Education in Nigeria Bootcamp held in Jos.
Alausa emphasised that credible data and accurate learner tracking are central to solving persistent issues in the sector, particularly gaps in foundational literacy and numeracy.
“Reliable data remains the backbone of effective education reform. Without knowing where the children are and why they are out of school, meaningful solutions cannot be implemented,” he stated.
The minister revealed that the Federal Ministry of Education is scaling up the Digital National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) while accelerating the rollout of the Learner Identification Number (LIN) to enable real-time tracking of students nationwide.
According to him, the 2025/2026 Annual School Census has already captured over two million learners, providing critical insights to guide policy formulation, strengthen enrolment strategies, and improve accountability within the system.
In a major step toward addressing the out-of-school children crisis, the minister disclosed that nearly one million children have been identified and mapped for reintegration into formal schools and alternative learning pathways.
This effort, he noted, is part of a broader national strategy to ensure that every child has access to basic education.
Alausa further announced that between January 2025 and January 2026, states accessed over ₦106 billion in matching grants from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to strengthen the delivery of basic education nationwide.
The funding, he explained, is being channelled into improving infrastructure, enhancing teacher capacity, and expanding access to underserved communities.
The government’s renewed focus on data and targeted interventions signals a shift toward evidence-based policymaking in the education sector, with the goal of reducing the number of out-of-school children and improving learning outcomes across Nigeria.
