FG pledges renewed focus on early childhood education

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Early Childhood Care and Development Education (ECCDE), as foundation for quality basic education.

Alausa said this at the Annual Integrated ECCDE Consultative Committee Meeting, held on Monday in Abuja.

The meeting had in attendance, stakeholders drawn from across the education sector.

Alausa who was represented by the Director of Basic Education in the ministry, Dr Folake Olatunji-David, described ECCDE as critical to children’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical development.

He noted that the ministry remained guided by the National Policy on Education and the National ECCDE Policy.

“This meeting is timely, as it provides an opportunity to review the 2025 ECCDE implementation report, assess progress across states, and identify persistent challenges,” he said.

He identified the challenges as: funding, workforce capacity, coordination, learning environment standards and monitoring mechanisms.

According to him, the consultative forum aligns with the ministry’s priorities of improving learning outcomes, strengthening accountability, promoting data-driven planning and ensuring safe and inclusive learning environments.

The minister stressed the need for stronger collaboration among the federal ministry of education, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), state ministries of education, and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“As preparations commence for the 2026 implementation cycle, I urge stakeholders to translate lessons from 2025, into clear actions, realistic targets and measurable indicators that will improve ECCDE delivery nationwide,” he said.

He commended UBEC, state ECCDE desk officers, development partners and other stakeholders for their continued support.

Alausa also expressed confidence that the outcomes of the meeting would significantly enhance ECCDE implementation in the country.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Aisha Garba, underscored the importance of strengthening ECCDE in Nigeria, through effective policies, partnerships and implementation frameworks.

Garba, who was represented by her Special Assistant, Ibrahim Gold, said that the consultative meeting was designed to review the 2025 ECCDE implementation report.

She said that it was also meant to identify gaps and challenges, and to propose practical solutions in ensuring quality implementation in 2026.

“The proposed ECCDE implementation guidelines will enhance coherence in the application of the ECCDE policy and minimum standards, improve resource utilisation and provide costed operational plans for ECCDE delivery,” she said.

According to her, the guidelines will also strengthen collaboration with the federal ministry of education, UNICEF and other key stakeholders.

She expressed optimism that challenges such as micronutrient deficiencies affecting millions of children under five years, would be addressed through effective implementation of the guidelines.

The UBEC boss outlined objectives of the meeting to include reviewing progress, sharing best practices, strengthening partnerships and charting a clear path for the National ECCDE Implementation Guidelines.

She said that these efforts would contribute to reducing child mortality and morbidity, as well as improved learning outcomes, increased school enrolment, enhanced productivity and economic growth.