By Gabriel Ameh
Abuja, February 15, 2026 – The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening collaboration with state governments to ensure that education policies are not only well-crafted but effectively implemented across the country.
Tbis wwas contained in a statement signed by Boriowo Folasade Director, Press and Public Relations Federal Ministry of Education
According to the statement, the Honourable Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, made this known while commending the Committee of States’ Commissioners of Education in Nigeria (COSCEN) for convening its maiden peer-learning webinar. He described the initiative as a strategic step toward strengthening federal state cooperation in addressing Nigeria’s persistent out-of-school children crisis.
Dr. Alausa noted that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reinforcing the Ministry’s mandate to ensure that every Nigerian child has access to quality education that meets global standards.
He emphasized that sustainable progress in reducing the number of out-of-school children requires coordinated reforms, shared accountability, and evidence-based interventions across federal and state levels. According to him, aligning state-level reforms with national frameworks remains critical to achieving measurable outcomes.
The Minister also acknowledged the complementary role of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education in supporting targeted interventions. He stressed that continuous knowledge exchange, data-driven planning, and harmonised implementation are essential to improving access, retention, and equity in education nationwide.
In his remarks, the Chairman of COSCEN, Lawal Olohungbebe, said the peer-learning series is designed to deepen collaboration among State Commissioners of Education and harmonise state initiatives with federal policies. He explained that the platform will enable states to share practical solutions and align strategies with national interventions to achieve sustainable reductions in out-of-school numbers.
The maiden webinar will feature the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Aishatu Umar Maigari of Gombe State, who is expected to present innovative, data-driven interventions that have improved enrolment outcomes in the state and offer scalable models adaptable across Nigeria.
Also speaking at the session, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Muhammad Sani Idris, will provide national context and outline how federal policies and programmes are strengthening states’ efforts to expand access to education.
According to Leo Ebenezer of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, who serves as National Coordinator, the webinar scheduled for February 25, 2026, via Microsoft Teams is structured to advance COSCEN’s peer-learning agenda and promote coordinated reforms aimed at addressing Nigeria’s out-of-school challenge more effectively.
With strengthened collaboration, shared learning, and policy alignment, stakeholders say the initiative represents a unified national response to ensure inclusive and equitable access to quality education for every Nigerian child.
