In a concerted effort to address the critical issue of out-of-school children in Nigeria, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, today presented the Federal Government’s financial strategies and programs to the House of Representatives Committee on Alternate Education.
His address emphasized the government’s dedication to ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to quality education.
Accompanied by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Edun reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the educational sector through a range of initiatives.
”These efforts are designed to provide lasting solutions to the educational challenges facing the nation,” he stated.
He highlighted significant progress made in enhancing school security, particularly through the establishment of the Secretariat for Financing Safe Schools in January 2022.
”This initiative, stemming from a 2021 high-level forum, focuses on implementing a national plan to bolster school security from 2023 to 2026.
”The scheme integrates robust security measures with community-based efforts to ensure the safety of students across the country,” he noted.
The Minister also announced the upcoming relaunch of the Home-Grown School Feeding Program, a pivotal initiative aimed at increasing school attendance by providing meals to students.
He explained that by feeding children at school, the program not only improves their health and well-being but also incentivizes them to stay in school, thereby reducing the number of out-of-school children.
Addressing other economic concerns, Edun outlined the Federal Government’s strategies under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, particularly within the educational sector.
He expressed optimism that the initiatives would positively impact the national budget by allocating sufficient resources to support and sustain educational programs.
”With the Federal Government’s renewed focus on education, Nigeria is set to witness a significant reduction in the number of out-of-school children,” he added.
Recall that the minister recently unveiled the potential for Nigeria to amass over $13.3 billion in annual revenue by establishing a national asset register.
Edun made this known during the Afrinvest 2023 Nigerian Banking Sector Report launch in Lagos.
During the event, Edun outlined the substantial financial prospects tied to creating a comprehensive national asset register for the country, stressing that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, standing at $450 billion, could translate into an additional revenue stream of $13.3 billion annually through the proposed asset register.
