President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has renewed his commitment to improving education in Nigeria, focusing on reducing the number of children who are not attending school.
Speaking during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Thursday, Tinubu outlined plans for an innovative “return-to-class” initiative aimed at addressing this critical issue.
The President emphasized that his administration is determined to create opportunities for Nigerian children to rejoin classrooms, highlighting the importance of education for the country’s development.
He stressed that the government’s approach would combine traditional learning with skill-building programs to support older children who have been out of school for a long time.
“In order to bridge the gap for some who are of age, and have been out of school for a while, we will encourage skills development,” Tinubu said.
Accompanied by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, he explained that insecurity in certain regions of Nigeria has been a significant barrier to children returning to school. However, Tinubu noted that progress is being made in improving security and rebuilding trust in affected areas.
The President also highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance national stability, linking improved agricultural productivity with better economic conditions. He stated, “With some more efforts, we will be able to get some level of stability. We had a very good harvest this year.”
President Macron praised Nigeria’s potential for growth and its focus on education, reflecting on his time spent in the country during an internship. Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron expressed appreciation for the visit and pledged to strengthen the partnership between France and Nigeria.
