*Also Inaugurates Panel On Policy Implementation
*Upgrades 38 Federal, State Technical Colleges
The Federal Government on Monday launched the National Policy on Anti-Bullying in Nigerian Schools and its implementation guidelines.
Bullying in Nigerian schools has become a disturbing trend in the past few months.
To check the growing trend, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, launched the document in order to change the narrative and make Nigerian schools more safer with all students accorded the desired respects.
The occasion was at the Citizens and Stakeholders' Engagement On Nigerian Education Sector held in Abuja.
Towards ensuring its smooth implementation to achieve the desired results, the Federal Government also inaugurated the Anti-Bullying Committee at the event.
Inaugurating the committee, the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Said Ahmad, noted that perfect strategy has been developed to check bullying in Nigerian schools.
She said "Another highlight of today’s event is the launch of the National Policy on Anti-Bullying in Nigerian Schools and its Implementation Guidelines. This policy comes at a critical time when the mental health, safety, and dignity of our learners must be safeguarded across all learning environments.
"Bullying undermines not only the well-being of students but also their ability to learn and thrive.
The National Policy on Anti-Bullying sets a clear framework for preventing and responding to all forms of bullying in schools—physical, verbal, psychological, and cyberbullying.
"It defines the responsibilities of school administrators, teachers, students, parents, and community stakeholders. Most importantly, it promotes a culture of respect, empathy, and accountability."
Prof Ahmad added "With the inauguration of this policy, we are not just adopting a document—we are committing to a nationwide movement for safer, more inclusive, and nurturing school environments.
"I commend the technical teams, partners, and all stakeholders who have contributed to the development of this policy." she stated.
Earlier, the Education Minister, Dr Alausa, made presentation on the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) and the achievements recorded so far.
Among the problem the current administration met on ground, according to him, included 45 million children learning poor and cannot read age-apprppriate text, 6 million adolescent girls out of school, and 25% of 60 million youths not in education, employment or training.
To tackle the problem, the Minister said that the current administration evolved strategies to ensure equitable access to basic education, inclusive quality education and learning, strengthening governance and management through partnership.
He listed six priority intervention areas within the NESRI for the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Some of areas, he said, included targeting 650,000 enrollees under TVET, upgrading 38 Federal and State Technical colleges for TVET training, training 3,600 teachers nationwide.
The Minister said "On TVET, we are focusing on practical training. We are going to do what Germany did"
Reeling out achievements so far, he said, 25,000 children have been integrated into former education in the FCT, and training of 400 Tsangaya teachers, launched the Nigeria Education Digitalization Initiative (NEDI) for generating all education data.
Others he said included launching the LUMINAH targeting 1 million girls completing education by 2030, and 184,153 girls receiving digital literacy skills, while N40 billion has been committed to complete the National Library to support academic and research needs.
On NESRI, the Minister of State, Prof Ahmad said "The Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative represents a bold and strategic effort to transform our education system through inclusive policy reforms, quality improvement, accountability, and stronger collaboration with all stakeholders—government, civil society, development partners, parents, teachers, and students alike.
"It is a platform for discussion and deliberation on various initiatives of the Ministry in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. This engagement is an avenue for the Ministry to inform the citizens of our initiatives and milestones in the delivery of the programmes and projects assigned to our sector by Mr. President.
"Our engagement here today reinforces the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Education to deepen citizens' participation in shaping the future of education in Nigeria. Through dialogue, transparency, and evidence-based policies, NESRI aims to address the systemic challenges that hinder access, equity, and quality in education." she stated.
Speaking at the occasion, the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, observed that Nigeria is very good with generating policies but poor in its implementation.
At the event, he also raised some posers, wondering what has been happening to the education budget? Why are Nigerian lecturers leaving Nigeria?
The ASUU President charged the government to change the trajectory to stem the trend.
He also tasked the ministry in its move to embrace technical education to ensure that Nigerian students are trained on High-tech and not as barbers, hairdressers, taylors.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Muntari Dandutse, said the NESRI is a call to action
He said that only transparent strategy that will ensure revival of Nigeria's education system and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria's future.