FG Targets Millions of Out-of-School Children with Data-Driven Education Reform
Otamere Gladness 
Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa
JOS, Nigeria – The Federal Government has intensified efforts to reintegrate millions of out-of-school children into classrooms, unveiling a data-driven strategy anchored on digital tracking and targeted interventions.
The initiative was spotlighted at the 2026 Basic Education Bootcamp in Jos, where education stakeholders outlined urgent measures to improve access, retention and learning outcomes nationwide.
Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, on wednesday said accurate data remains central to reform, stressing that identifying out-of-school children is key to deploying effective solutions.
“Effective reform depends on identifying out-of-school children and deploying targeted interventions,” he said.
To strengthen tracking, the government is expanding the Digital National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) and introducing a Learner Identification Number (LIN). Officials said over two million learners have already been captured in the 2025/2026 Annual School Census, while nearly one million out-of-school children have been mapped for reintegration.
The government also highlighted investments exceeding ₦106 billion through the Universal Basic Education Commission, alongside ₦22 billion for teacher training benefiting nearly one million educators. More than 10,000 classrooms have been renovated, with 7.8 million textbooks distributed.
Authorities say the reforms signal a renewed push toward inclusive and equitable education, though analysts note that sustained implementation will be critical to reversing Nigeria’s long-standing education access crisis.
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Mirian Gom 
