Kabiru Haruna
In a historic stride towards educational reform and inclusivity, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, officially unveiled and launched the National Policy on Non-State Schools in Nigeria alongside its implementation guidelines.
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The event marked a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to ensure that every child in Nigeria, regardless of background, has access to quality and equitable education.
Dr. Alausa described the policy as a “bold move” and a “difficult but necessary decision” aimed at driving positive change in the Nigerian education system.
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He emphasised that the new policy aligns closely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises education as a foundational pillar for national development.
The policy forms part of broader national education sector renewal initiatives, which seek to reform the system by improving access, quality, and accountability through technology, public-private partnerships (PPP), and innovative strategies.
Dr. Alausa reiterated that the government is focused on creating a more inclusive educational landscape where collaboration between non-state (private) schools and the government is institutionalised.
Key components of the policy include the establishment of minimum standards for infrastructure, teacher quality, and curriculum delivery in non-state schools.
The Minister stated, “As you fill the gap, we will hold you more accountable but also provide more incentives.”
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He announced ongoing discussions with associations of private schools to harness their underutilised capacity in reducing the number of out-of-school children.
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Dr. Alausa revealed that the government plans to introduce an indirect reimbursement mechanism for private schools that successfully enrol out-of-school children.
He stressed the urgency of implementing this programme by the start of the 2025/2026 academic session.
To drive the policy’s execution, a high-powered Ministerial Group led by Dr. Alausa and the Minister of State for Education has been established, along with a dedicated Technical Working Group. Other planned interventions include:
Direct grants to support Early Childhood Care Development through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC)
Voucher systems and matching grants to states in support of private school initiatives
Strengthening data-driven decision-making in the education sector
Dr. Alausa called on all stakeholders to support the implementation process, emphasising the shared responsibility of building a future where all children can access quality and durable education.
During the launch, several papers were presented:
Abiola Sanusi, Federal Lead, PLAN-E, gave an overview of the national policy and its implementation roadmap.
Mrs. Elizabeth Okene, Deputy Director, PPP and NGO Affairs Unit, FME, presented insights on public-private partnerships with lessons from India, Pakistan, and Nigeria.
Mrs. Joy Onoja, Deputy Director, Basic Education, FME, delivered the vote of thanks.
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Also in attendance was the Director and Chief Executive of the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) Kaduna, Professor Sadiya Sani Daura, ably represented by Dr. Bala D. Aminu
The policy launch represents a transformative shift in how the Nigerian government engages with non-state education providers, with the ultimate goal of achieving universal access to quality education for all Nigerian children.