The Federal Ministry of Education has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s education system through strategic collaboration with the private sector, as it hosted its inaugural Private Sector Breakfast Convening in Lagos.
The event brought together key stakeholders including development partners, industry leaders, and members of the education community to explore innovative partnerships.
It is aimed at improving learning outcomes and driving national development.
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Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, described the convening as both timely and strategic, noting that education remains the cornerstone of national progress.
“Education remains the cornerstone of national progress, and no nation can achieve sustainable growth without a strong, inclusive, and forward-looking education system,” Ahmad stated.
She emphasised that the platform was deliberately created by the Federal Ministry of Education to deepen engagement with the private sector, foster collaboration, and accelerate transformation across all levels of education.
“Your presence here today underscores a shared commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s education system and ensuring that it delivers meaningful outcomes for our learners and for national development,” she said.
The Minister highlighted the role of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Grant in supporting Nigeria’s education reform agenda, noting that it has strengthened policy implementation under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) and enhanced sector-wide coordination.
“Through this strategic support, we are strengthening sector-wide coordination, improving policy implementation, and creating inclusive platforms to deepen public-private collaboration,” she stated.
According to her, the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritizes human capital development as a key driver of national growth.
She explained that NESRI is a comprehensive reform framework focused on improving access, quality, equity, innovation, and relevance in education delivery.
The initiative also targets teacher development, digital learning expansion, and stronger collaboration between government and non-government stakeholders.
“NESRI provides a structured pathway for revitalizing our education sector through policy reforms, improved teacher development, expanded digital learning, and stronger collaboration between government and non-government stakeholders,” she said.
Ahmad noted that early implementation of the reforms has already yielded positive results, including improved policy alignment, better coordination among stakeholders, and increased private sector interest in education investment.
She, however, stressed that government alone cannot achieve the required transformation, underscoring the critical role of private sector participation in infrastructure development, skills acquisition, and innovation.
“The private sector remains a critical partner in driving innovation, expanding infrastructure, and ensuring that our graduates are globally competitive and industry-ready,” she noted.
Also speaking, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, reiterated that education remains the backbone of national development, emphasizing the need for sustainable financing driven largely by domestic resources.
Private Sector Investment
He described private sector investment as a key driver of skills development, innovation, and long-term impact, noting that Nigeria is advancing reforms to mobilize greater domestic funding for education.
“Private sector investment is a powerful engine for skills development, innovation, and impact. Nigeria is advancing ambitious reforms to mobilise greater domestic financing for education,” Alausa stated.
According to the Minister, the government is committed to ensuring that every child in the country has access to quality education, while also reducing the number of out-of-school children and strengthening human capital development.
He further linked education investment to the country’s broader economic ambition, noting that Nigeria aims to build a one trillion-dollar economy by 2030, driven by a skilled and productive workforce.
“Investment in education is the best. Our goal is to reduce the number of out-of-school children, strengthen skills, and build human capital for the labour market,” he said.
The ministers called for stronger collaboration in areas such as technical and vocational education, digital learning, education financing, research, and innovation, as well as closer alignment between education and the labour market.
The breakfast meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from stakeholders to move beyond dialogue and implement practical partnerships that will reposition Nigeria’s education sector for sustainable growth.
