FG Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Early Childhood Education Nationwide
Otamere Gladness 
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa announcing the integration of NgREN and TERAS digital platforms in Abuja.
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government reaffirms its commitment to strengthening Early Childhood Care and Development Education (ECCDE), describing it as the bedrock of quality basic education and long-term national development.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, states this on Monday in Abuja at the Annual Integrated ECCDE Consultative Committee Meeting, which brings together key stakeholders across Nigeria’s education sector.
Represented by the Director of Basic Education at the ministry, Dr Folake Olatunji David, Alausa says ECCDE remains central to children’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. He adds that government actions continue to align with the National Policy on Education and the National ECCDE Policy.
“Early childhood education is fundamental to improving learning outcomes and building a strong education system,” Alausa says.
He describes the consultative meeting as timely, noting that it provides an avenue to review the 2025 ECCDE implementation report, assess state-level progress and address lingering challenges. “This forum aligns with our priorities of accountability, data-driven planning and safe, inclusive learning spaces,” he adds.
As preparations begin for the 2026 implementation cycle, Alausa urges stakeholders to translate lessons from 2025 into realistic actions, clear targets and measurable indicators capable of improving ECCDE delivery nationwide.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Hajia Aisha Garba, said the consultative meeting is designed to identify gaps in the 2025 implementation cycle and propose practical solutions for 2026. “The relevance of this engagement cannot be overstated,” she says.
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