Paris: President Bola Tinubu on Thursday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the education of Nigerian children during a meeting with his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron, in Paris. Tinubu stated his intent to reduce the number of out-of-school children through innovative return-to-class initiatives and skills development programs, underscoring the critical role of education in Nigeria’s development.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, President Tinubu highlighted the ongoing efforts by the government to create a supportive framework that ensures school-age children re-enter classrooms. He emphasized the importance of motivation and skill acquisition in this initiative, pointing out that bridging the educational gap requires encouraging skills development for those who have been out of school for some time.
Accompanied by Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady, President Tinubu informed President Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, about Nigeria’s reliance on a well-educated populace
for its developmental potential. He noted that insecurity in certain parts of the country poses challenges to children’s return to school, but highlighted the gradual repopulation of classrooms and the need for skills development as a means to bridge educational gaps.
President Tinubu also drew attention to the notable progress in enhancing security across Nigeria, employing ‘kinetic’ strategies as part of the peace-building process, as stated by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesman. Tinubu expressed optimism that with continued efforts, a level of stability could be achieved, pointing to a successful harvest and the potential for increased stability in agricultural output with more farmers returning to their fields.
In response, President Macron acknowledged Nigeria’s significant growth potential and emphasized the importance of investing in educational initiatives. Reflecting on his formative experiences during a six-month internship at the French Embassy in Nigeria, including visits to Lagos and K
ano, Macron expressed gratitude for the State Visit and promised to elevate the France-Nigeria partnership to new heights.