FG reaffirms resolve to strengthen early childhood education
By Uji A Iliyasu, Abuja
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Early Childhood Care and Development Education (ECCDE) as a critical foundation for quality basic education and national development.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, stated this in a welcome address at the Annual Integrated ECCDE Consultative Committee Meeting held in Abuja, bringing together stakeholders from across the education sector.
Represented by the Director of Basic Education in the ministry, Dr Folake Olatunji David, Alausa described ECCDE as vital to children’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. He noted that the Ministry of Education remains guided by the National Policy on Education and the National ECCDE Policy in advancing early childhood education nationwide.
The minister said the meeting was timely, providing an opportunity to review the 2025 ECCDE implementation report, assess progress across states and address persistent challenges, including inadequate funding, workforce capacity gaps, weak coordination, substandard learning environments and limited 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, inclusive learning environments.
He stressed the need for stronger collaboration among the Federal Ministry of Education, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), State Ministries of Education and other relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
As preparations begin for the 2026 implementation cycle, Alausa urged stakeholders to translate lessons from 2025 into clear actions, realistic targets and measurable indicators to improve ECCDE delivery nationwide. He commended UBEC, state ECCDE desk officers, development partners and other stakeholders for their sustained support, expressing confidence that the meeting’s outcomes would significantly enhance ECCDE implementation in Nigeria.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Hajia Aisha Garba, emphasized the need to strengthen ECCDE through effective policies, partnerships and robust implementation frameworks.
Represented by her Special Assistant, Ibrahim Gold, Garba said the consultative meeting—described as long overdue—was designed to review the 2025 ECCDE implementation report, identify gaps and challenges, and propose practical solutions to ensure quality implementation in 2026.
She explained that the proposed ECCDE Implementation Guidelines would enhance coherence in applying the ECCDE Policy and Minimum Standards, improve resource utilization and provide costed operational plans for ECCDE delivery. The guidelines, she added, would also strengthen collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, UNICEF and other key stakeholders, while aligning Nigeria’s ECCDE framework with global best practices.
“The relevance of this engagement cannot be overstated,” she said, noting that the document, once developed, would improve the use of the Pre-Primary Education Curriculum, promote parental and community participation, and deepen partnerships in early childhood education.
Garba underscored the critical role of ECCDE in laying a solid foundation for lifelong learning, cognitive development and social and emotional growth. She expressed optimism that challenges such as micronutrient deficiencies affecting millions of children under five would be addressed through effective implementation of the guidelines.
She outlined the objectives of the meeting to include reviewing progress, sharing best practices, strengthening partnerships and charting a clear path for the National ECCDE Implementation Guidelines. According to her, these efforts would contribute to reduced child mortality and morbidity, improved learning outcomes, increased school enrolment and enhanced productivity and economic growth.
The UBEC boss disclosed that the proposed document would recognize micronutrient deficiency control, particularly iron, vitamin A and iodine, as a critical component of early childhood development. It would also guide stakeholders in developing strategies for micronutrient supplementation, nutrition education and community-based management of acute malnutrition in schools.
She expressed confidence that the expertise and commitment of the selected resource persons and SUBEB ECCDE desk officers would ensure the successful development of the document, ultimately guaranteeing Nigerian children access to quality Early Childhood Care and Development Education.