IBY
Peterside Rejoice Eneky
The Nigerian Professionals Network (NPN) successfully convened a high-profile roundtable discussion focused on strengthening Nigeria’s education sector through technical support and strategic partnerships. The event, held in Washington, D.C., featured the Honorable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who shared his comprehensive six-point agenda aimed at transforming Nigeria’s education landscape.
The Education Minister’s agenda emphasized critical areas including out-of-school children, girl-child education, data and digitization, STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine), education quality assurance, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustainable reforms. “Our goal is to build an inclusive and innovative education system that equips Nigerian students with the skills and knowledge needed for the future,” he stated.
The roundtable also featured distinguished panelists, including Laura Frigenti, CEO of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), and Luis Benveniste, the World Bank’s Global Director for Education Global Practice. These experts provided insights on pressing educational challenges and offered strategies for Nigeria to leverage international funding and technical expertise to enhance its education sector.
“GPE’s global experience has shown that coordinated efforts and strong national leadership are key to attracting sustainable international funding for education,” Frigenti emphasized, highlighting strategies Nigeria can adopt to support its educational priorities. Echoing this, Benveniste outlined the World Bank’s commitment to education financing, stating, “Nigeria has the opportunity to maximize funding and scale critical education initiatives by aligning its policies with global best practices.” The discussion underscored the importance of leveraging international support to address challenges such as out-of-school children, workforce readiness, and digital transformation in education.
Additional contributions came from representatives of leading global organizations, including Malala Fund, represented by Nabila Aguele – Chief Executive, Nigeria, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, represented by Clio Dintilhac. Contributions also came from Nigerian experts in the diaspora with extensive experience in education, providing valuable perspectives on innovative solutions for sectoral improvement.
Olumide Lawal, the Convener of the Roundtable, underscored thesignificance of the event in fostering national development through education sector reforms. He highlighted the importance of collaboration between the Nigerian government, international organizations, and private sector stakeholders in driving sustainable educational improvements.
The Roundtable reaffirmed NPN’s commitment to contributing to the advancement of education Nigeria through innovative policies, partnerships, and increased investment, ensuring that the next generation is equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to compete with their counterparts globally.
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