The Education Minister of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Prof. Tahir Mamman has claimed that his ministry, through its out-of-school initiative has reintegrated four million young children into the educational system.

Prof. Mamman said in Ilorin, Kwara State, at the 2nd KUB+ Consortium international conference with the theme of the conference was: “Shaping sustainable future: Connecting universities and industries through joint initiatives”..

KUB+ is a consortium of universities in Kwara State.

Prof. Mamman conceded, “we know that a lot still needs to be done to bring those children loitering the streets back to proper learning system.

“Furthermore, just last week, the ministry inaugurated a committee in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and other international partners to review and create a robust policy for the support and development of teaching in Nigeria, especially at the pre-tertiary.”

Mamman, who was represented by the Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Dr. Chris Maiyaki, added that “the President Bola Tinubu administration remains resolute in our conviction that once we get our education right, we will get our other developmental priorities on the right track.

“The Federal Ministry of Education is working tirelessly to develop policies by creating an enabling environment for our universities to thrive.”

The Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Prof. Noah Yusuf, said the conference aimed to “strengthen the ties between academia and industry; facilitate the exchange of ideas, resources and expertise; encourage innovative approaches to research and development and leverage on the unique strengths of both universities and industries.”

Others, he added, are to develop programmes and initiatives that prepare students for the dynamic demands of the modern workforce and advocate for sustainable practices and policies that promote environmental stewardship, economic resilience, and social well-being.