Kabiru Haruna
Abuja -The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, met with the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Vice President on Regional Matters, Dr. Mariam Masha, to discuss key educational initiatives aimed at improving Nigeria’s education sector.
The meeting focused on the need for sustainable programs, vocational training, and collaborative efforts to enhance learning outcomes.
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Dr. Alausa emphasized the urgency of addressing poor learning outcomes in Nigeria.
He stressed the importance of adopting Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to equip young Nigerians with globally competitive skills.
He reaffirmed that Nigeria has the capacity to train its students effectively and even export skilled professionals to regions with high demand.
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The Minister also endorsed the Academic Support and Skills Enhancement Programme (ASSEP), describing it as a laudable and timely initiative.
He highlighted the need for collaboration with government agencies to ensure its continuity and prevent it from being abandoned after initial implementation.
Sustainability, he stressed, should be at the core of all educational initiatives.
As part of efforts to enhance teaching and learning, Dr. Alausa announced the expansion of the live lessons program in unity colleges.
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Currently covering eight subjects, the initiative will soon be extended to primary schools to provide structured and high-quality education to younger students.
This expansion aligns with the Ministry’s commitment to early childhood education.
During the meeting, the Minister also reaffirmed his commitment to the 1Million Teachers Initiative, a program designed to improve teacher training and professional development.
Hakeem Subair, the CEO of the initiative, outlined its four major components: Blackbelt for Unity Colleges, Scale-Up AI Workforce Research Training, Support for Screening of Kaka, and Participation in the ‘Let There Be Teachers’ Conference.
Dr. Alausa pledged his support and collaboration for the initiative’s sustainability.
Dr. Mariam Masha, in her remarks, provided insights into ASSEP’s core objectives, particularly its mandate to bridge educational gaps in Nigeria.
She highlighted its role in addressing challenges in insurgency-affected regions like the Northeast, where education has been disrupted.
Dr. Masha described ASSEP as a capital project that aims to reposition the education sector for national development.
She further explained that ASSEP is transitioning from the Accelerated Senior Secondary Education Programme to the Academic Support and Skills Enhancement Program.
The new focus areas include Technical and Vocational Training, Community Development, and Post-Secondary Support, to create an inclusive educational system that accommodates diverse learning needs.
Dr. Masha called on the Federal Ministry of Education to provide intervention, support, and guidance to ensure the success of ASSEP. She emphasized that sustainable educational programmes require strong government backing and urged stakeholders to prioritize long-term impact over short-term gains.
In response, Dr. Alausa reiterated the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate in areas requiring intervention.
He assured that education reforms, vocational training, and teacher development would remain priorities for his administration. With committed leadership and strategic partnerships, initiatives like ASSEP and the 1Million Teachers Initiative are expected to make a lasting impact on Nigeria’s education system.