Nigeria is facing a major education challenge, with an estimated 18.3 million children currently out of school. President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to tackling this issue by introducing innovative programs aimed at getting children back into classrooms and providing older students with valuable skills.

Speaking in France during a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron, Tinubu explained his government’s strategy to reintroduce school-age children to education through return-to-class initiatives. For those who have been out of school for a long time, skills development programs will help bridge the gap and prepare them for the future.

The President emphasized that education is essential for Nigeria’s progress and stated, “No child should go to bed hungry in the 21st century.” He also pointed out that insecurity has disrupted education in many parts of the country. However, efforts to improve security are showing results, with more children returning to school and farmers boosting food supplies through better harvests.

This promise comes at a time when Nigeria faces one of the world’s largest out-of-school populations. The problem is most severe in the northern states, where factors like poor infrastructure, poverty, cultural practices, and insecurity have kept many children away from school. Terrorist attacks and kidnappings have further worsened the situation.

French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged Nigeria’s potential and highlighted the importance of investing in education. During the meeting, he shared memories of his time in Nigeria and expressed a strong commitment to strengthening relations between the two countries.

President Tinubu, accompanied by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, pledged to continue working on building a well-educated population to secure a brighter future for Nigeria.