Former President of Tanzania and Chairman of the Board of the Global Partnership for Education, GPE, Dr. Jakaya Kikwete, has applauded the sweeping reforms being implemented in Nigeria’s education sector by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, describing them as a strong indication of the country’s commitment to improving learning outcomes and strengthening education systems.
Kikwete gave the commendation during a meeting with the Minister, where he congratulated Alausa on the progress being recorded in the sector and expressed confidence that Nigeria was assuming a more prominent role in shaping the global education agenda through sustained policy reforms and international engagement.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the Minister of Education on Media and Communications, Mr. Ikharo Attah, the former Tanzanian leader praised the Federal Government’s commitment to education, noting that the ongoing reforms reflect Nigeria’s determination to expand access to quality learning and build a more resilient education system.
“Minister, thank you for your time. Congratulations on the efforts you are making,” Kikwete said, while expressing optimism ahead of the Global Education Summit scheduled for September, where President Bola Tinubu will co-chair the high-level meeting alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The summit is expected to mobilise greater international investment and deepen global partnerships aimed at improving access to quality education through the Global Partnership for Education.
As Chairman of the GPE Board, Kikwete also acknowledged Nigeria’s growing influence within the partnership, noting that Alausa’s membership of the GPE Board underscores the country’s active role in shaping global education priorities and advancing equitable access to quality education.
Responding, Alausa thanked the former Tanzanian President for his longstanding service to Africa and the international community, particularly his commitment to promoting foundational education and nurturing future generations of leaders.
The Minister also commended Kikwete’s contributions to leadership development across the continent, saying his dedication to empowering young people continues to inspire transformative leadership and sustainable development in Africa.
While reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to education reform under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Alausa said the Ministry would continue to pursue stronger partnerships, increased investment and evidence-based policies to improve learning outcomes and expand access to quality education for every Nigerian child.
He added that the Ministry would sustain its collaboration with the Global Partnership for Education and other international development partners to build a resilient, inclusive and future-ready education system capable of equipping Nigerian learners with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the 21st century.
