FG unveils initiative to end learning poverty

By Mariam Abeeb

The Federal Government has unveiled the national chapter of the End Learning Poverty for All in Africa (ELPAF) campaign.

The initiative is part of an ambitious African Union effort aimed at ensuring that every child on the continent can read and understand a simple text by age 10.

Speaking at the event in Abuja , the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, said the campaign would drive urgent reforms in foundational learning.

Ahmad, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Abel Enitan, noted that although millions of children were enrolled in school across Nigeria and Africa, many were not acquiring basic literacy skills.

“With over 70 per cent of 10-year-olds unable to read and comprehend basic text, this is not merely an educational gap, it is a developmental emergency,” she said.

She emphasised that learning poverty had far-reaching consequences, calling it a major threat to human capital development, civic engagement, economic empowerment, and social equity.

“We must ensure that every Nigerian child, regardless of geography, class, or creed, has access to quality education.

“Foundational learning such as early-grade reading, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills must become a national development priority,” she stated.

Ahmad described the ELPAF campaign as a bold call to action, urging education stakeholders to confront structural issues in the sector.

According to her, key obstacles include underfunded and overcrowded schools, poor infrastructure, inadequate teacher training, and limited access to quality learning materials.

She outlined a multi-pronged strategy involving increased education funding, structured pedagogy, targeted interventions, improved teacher welfare, and better data systems to track actual learning outcomes.

Also speaking, Dr Omolara Oludoun, Assistant Director of Bilateral, Commonwealth, and African Affairs, highlighted Nigeria’s selection among the first 25 African countries for the pilot phase of the ELPAF campaign.

“This is a pivotal moment. Learning poverty in Africa is deeply rooted in larger issues of inequality, poverty, governance, and systemic inefficiencies.

“Yet this campaign offers hope, a roadmap for measurable transformation,” she said.

Oludoun commended the African Union and its development partners for their coordination and vision.

She also encouraged Nigerian education leaders to engage actively and meaningfully in the campaign’s implementation.