Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has hosted members of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Secretariat during their official visit to Nigeria.
During the discussions, Alausa emphasized the urgent need to re-evaluate and strengthen Nigeria’s educational partnerships, particularly in areas with the greatest need.
In a statement shared via his X handle on Sunday, November 24, Alausa explained that his tenure has revealed critical gaps in the coordination of educational initiatives, especially in states with significant educational challenges.
He pointed to duplication of projects and a lack of unified direction among partners as major obstacles in reaching underserved regions effectively. This, he said, underscores the importance of renewing Nigeria’s approach to working with organizations like GPE.
Alausa’s statement reads, “I was pleased to meet with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Secretariat during their mission to Nigeria. In line with our goals to strengthen technical vocational education and training (TVET) capacity, focus on STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences), and improve education for girls, women, out-of-school children, and Almajiri, it is crucial that we renew and re-strategise our partnerships with organizations such as #GPforEducation, #UNESCO, and #UNICEF.”
He further highlighted a key issue, “However, one challenge I have observed during my tenure is the lack of coordination between partners, the duplication of projects, and the deprioritization of high-burden states. As we engage with development partners, our goal is to realign our efforts to focus on the most pressing issues. This will be achieved through the Education Sector-wide Approach (E-SwAp).”
Alausa outlined his vision to prioritize programmes targeting critical needs, such as technical and vocational education (TVET), STEMM, and expanded access to quality education for marginalized groups, including girls, women, out-of-school children, and Almajiri communities.
By re-strategizing partnerships with GPE and other international bodies, the minister aims to avoid the pitfalls of fragmented efforts and deliver lasting impact.
With the Education Sector-wide Approach (E-SwAp), Alausa is committed to creating a cohesive framework that can direct resources to high-impact areas, ultimately bridging gaps in the country’s educational landscape.
This visit from the GPE Secretariat, he stated, marks a pivotal step toward recalibrating Nigeria’s educational development efforts.
Leave a Reply