Otamere Gladness 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria strengthens its education reform drive through high-level engagements with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), seeking deeper international cooperation to improve access, quality and resilience.
The consultations take place at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, involving the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini, and Nigeria’s Minister of State for Education, alongside Dr Hajo Sani, Nigeria’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.
According to a statement released on Friday, discussions focus on maintaining learning continuity in insecurity-affected areas, expanding psychosocial support for learners and teachers, promoting safe school initiatives and strengthening data-driven education policymaking.
The talks also explore enhanced cooperation in digital learning tools, teacher capacity development, and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) as part of efforts to build a more resilient education system nationwide. “These engagements reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to inclusive, resilient and evidence-based education reforms through strategic global partnerships,” the statement says.
Officials stress that aligning UNESCO’s technical expertise with Nigeria’s national priorities will deliver sustainable outcomes for learners, educators and communities.
In a separate meeting, the Nigerian delegation held discussions with South Africa’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, emphasising African ownership of education strategies, teacher quality improvement and community participation.
The delegation calls for a unified African voice in global education forums to strengthen advocacy and improve learning outcomes for children across the continent.
About the Author
Oluwatobi Adu 
Juliet Jacob 