While in Paris, President Bola Tinubu reiterated his administration’s dedication to prioritizing education for Nigerian children.
Tinubu made this commitment today during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palais des Élysée.
He outlined strategies to drastically reduce the number of out-of-school children through innovative return-to-class programs and skills development initiatives.
The President emphasized the government’s commitment to establishing a supportive framework to reintegrate school-age children into classrooms, stressing the importance of motivation and skill acquisition in achieving this goal.
“To bridge the gap for those who are older and have been out of school for a significant period, we will promote skills development,” he stated.
Joined by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Nigerian President conveyed to President Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron that Nigeria’s development depends on fostering a well-educated population.
The President acknowledged that insecurity in certain regions of the country has made it challenging for children to return to school but noted progress in gradually re-populating classrooms. He stressed the importance of skills development to address these gaps.
He highlighted significant advancements in improving security across Nigeria, using “kinetic” approaches as part of the peace-building efforts.
“With additional efforts, we can achieve greater stability. This year, we experienced a strong harvest, and as more farmers return to their fields, we will see further improvements in harvests and supply stability,” he stated.
President Macron recognized Nigeria’s immense growth potential and emphasized the importance of investing in educational programs. He shared memories of his early experiences during a six-month internship at the French Embassy in Nigeria, which included visits to Lagos and Kano.
Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron thanked President Tinubu and Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their State Visit and pledged to strengthen the France-Nigeria partnership further.