Nigeria @66: Education gets fresh push, old problems remain

On Nigeria's 66th Independence anniversary, the country's education system is undergoing a fresh push under the leadership of Minister Tunji Alausa. Efforts include revitalising the National Library of Nigeria, digital learning programmes, improved financing, and tackling the crisis of out-of-school children. However, despite reforms and investments, questions remain about whether these changes will lead to better learning outcomes, functional infrastructure, and equitable access to quality education.

Nigeria's education sector has experienced numerous policy shifts since gaining independence in 1960, yet it still faces issues like inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortages, poor learning outcomes, a growing population of out-of-school children, funding constraints, and a skills gap. Alausa's reform agenda aims to address these structural weaknesses.

The National Library of Nigeria project, initially planned to take two years, remains unfinished after years of delays, symbolising the difficulties in education infrastructure. Recently approved funding of about N155bn aims to complete and furnish the complex, but accountability will be crucial. After completion, the library must be staffed, furnished, maintained, and equipped with modern systems for it to serve its intended purpose.

Meanwhile, the out-of-school children crisis highlights deeper challenges of access, poverty, insecurity, and the quality of basic education. Despite international estimates suggesting about 18 million children are out of school, addressing this issue requires more than infrastructure expansion. Indirect costs, insecurity, child labour, and social barriers continue to affect enrolment and attendance in many communities.