Replicating Success: Kwara State's Roadmap for Nigeria's Foundational Education

In a concerted effort to address the global shame of having one of the highest rates of out-of-school children, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) have launched a multi-state intervention. At the forefront of this movement is Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, whose leadership as NGF Chairman has set a national standard for foundational education. Through swift policy reforms and a decisive commitment to fiscal discipline, Kwara has turned the corner on foundational learning, bringing thousands of out-of-school children back into the classroom and implementing critical infrastructure upgrades. This model of collaborative policymaking and state-level ownership is setting a precedent for other states to follow and might serve as a turning point in the fight against Nigeria's foundational education crisis.

Key Takeaways:

• Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq's leadership as NGF Chairman has driven a national tone on foundational education, with a focus on strengthened state-level ownership and collaborative policymaking.
• Through decisive action, Kwara State has accessed over ?14.2 billion in federal matching grants for basic education infrastructure, unlocking a cascade of projects across the state.
• Over 600 schools have been renovated or newly constructed, with critical upgrades including classrooms, perimeter fences, boreholes, WASH facilities, and attention to equity and rural inclusion.
• Kwara has tackled the human resource challenge head-on, recruiting over 3,400 new teaching and non-teaching staff, with an emphasis on STEM subjects and community-based education.
• All recruited staff signed performance bonds, demonstrating a commitment to accountability and results.
• The KwaraLEARN programme has digitized classroom management in over 870 public schools, benefiting over 120,000 pupils with real-time monitoring, teacher coaching, and structured lesson plans.
• Early results show gains in literacy and numeracy scores, attendance, and classroom engagement.
• A targeted enrollment drive brought over 2,300 out-of-school children into classrooms, focusing on nomadic communities, street children, and underserved areas.
• Plans are underway to build 15 new schools in remote areas to further reduce access barriers.
• Kwara was described by UBEC's North-Central Director as 'a pacesetter in compliance', reflecting the state's commitment to due process, transparency, and strategic alignment with federal education goals.

Statistics:

• Over ?14.2 billion in federal matching grants accessed by Kwara State for basic education infrastructure.
• 600 schools renovated or newly constructed across Kwara's 16 local government areas.
• Over 3,400 new teaching and non-teaching staff recruited, with an emphasis on STEM subjects and community-based education.
• 120,000 pupils benefiting from the KwaraLEARN programme.
• 2,300 out-of-school children brought into classrooms through targeted enrollment drives.
• 15 new schools planned for construction in remote areas to further reduce access barriers.

Sources:

• "As Nigeria grapples with the challenge of out-of-school children-estimated to be among the highest globally-recent interventions led by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) offer renewed hope." (Source: Available upon request)
• Governor Abdulrazaq's leadership as NGF Chairman has driven a national tone on foundational education.
• Kwara State's access to over ?14.2 billion in federal matching grants for basic education infrastructure has unlocked a cascade of projects.
• Over 600 schools have been renovated or newly constructed.
• Kwara has tackled the human resource challenge head-on, recruiting over 3,400 new teaching and non-teaching staff.
• Plans are underway to build 15 new schools in remote areas to further reduce access barriers.
• UBEC's North-Central Director described Kwara as 'a pacesetter in compliance'.