The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, has called on policymakers, education stakeholders and the media to prioritise practical, evidence-based reforms that will directly improve teaching and learning in classrooms across Nigeria.
Speaking at the 2026 Education Summit organised by the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN) in Abuja, Ike described the summit’s theme, “Three Years of the Tinubu Administration: Assessing Reforms, Achievements and Challenges in Nigeria’s Education Sector,” as timely and necessary for national development.
She stressed that education remains the foundation of national growth and urged stakeholders to move beyond political rhetoric by objectively evaluating whether government reforms are translating into better classrooms, improved teacher welfare, increased access to education and enhanced learning outcomes for Nigerian children.
According to her, while the Federal Government has introduced notable reforms aimed at repositioning the education sector, persistent challenges such as inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, learning poverty, industrial actions and the high number of out-of-school children continue to hinder meaningful progress.
Ike noted that lasting reforms require sustained political commitment and collaboration among government institutions, educators, development partners and the media.
She also charged journalists to provide accurate, balanced and investigative reporting on education issues, saying the media must continue to amplify the voices of teachers, students, parents and education administrators while holding public officials accountable for policy implementation.
The NUJ FCT Chairman further emphasised that education is central to national productivity, innovation, social stability and economic development, urging participants at the summit to produce practical recommendations capable of transforming the sector.
She expressed optimism that the summit would generate workable solutions that would strengthen Nigeria’s education system and improve learning opportunities for future generations.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced that the Federal Government will conduct a nationwide household survey in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to determine the actual number of out-of-school children in the country.
According to the minister, the exercise will provide credible data to guide education policies and interventions, replacing existing estimates with accurate statistics needed for effective planning and improved access to quality education.
