The Federal Government has unveiled a new National Policy on Alternative Learning Pathways aimed at expanding access to education for out-of-school children, youths and adults across Nigeria.

The development was disclosed in Abuja by John Edeh, Director of Literacy and Development at the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC).

FG Targets Out-Of-School Crisis

According to Edeh, the policy was recently unveiled by Tunji Alausa as part of efforts to address long-standing gaps within Nigeria’s non-formal education system.

He explained that the initiative is designed to improve certification processes and create flexible learning pathways that would allow beneficiaries to transition into higher education or vocational opportunities.

“The whole vision is to address the large number of out-of-school youth and children significantly,” he said.

Faster Learning Structure Introduced

Edeh noted that the policy would compress learning duration for beneficiaries who missed formal education.

According to him, individuals can now complete equivalent educational programmes within three to four years instead of spending more than a decade in the conventional school system.

He added that the programme is expected to help mainstream learners into formal educational structures more easily.

FG Links Education To Security

The NMEC official further stated that the policy would not only provide access to education but also help tackle unemployment, insecurity, banditry and other social problems linked to illiteracy.

“It will also ensure that the people are not only provided with education, but also empower them to reduce unemployment, insecurity, banditry and all forms of vices in the country,” he said.

Edeh disclosed that the policy is already operational and urged stakeholders in the literacy and non-formal education sector to ensure strict compliance with its provisions.

The Federal Government has unveiled a major intervention plan worth over ₦250 billion to address the growing accommodation crisis in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed the development in Abuja on Wednesday during the inauguration of governing boards, rectors and principal officers of several federal education agencies and institutions.

FG targets hostel shortages nationwide

Alausa said the intervention, approved under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, would support the construction and expansion of hostel facilities across federal tertiary institutions.

According to him, at least 50 institutions will receive ₦2 billion each to build student hostels with a minimum capacity of 500 bed spaces per project.

“We are spending ₦2 billion each to build hostel accommodation in at least 50 tertiary institutions,” the minister said.

“The ₦2 billion will deliver 500 bed spaces to each of these institutions. These funds have been mobilised via TETFund.”

He described the initiative as the largest single-year investment in student accommodation infrastructure in Nigeria’s history.

Additional ₦80bn planned through PPP

The minister further disclosed that another ₦80 billion would be invested through Public Private Partnerships across 24 federal tertiary institutions.

According to him, the arrangement will provide between 1,200 and 1,500 bed spaces per institution.

“TETFund will come up with one billion in counterpart funding and the rest will come up with three billion. So, total four billion per institution,” he explained.

The projects are expected to ease pressure on existing hostel facilities and improve student welfare nationwide.

Alausa charges education leaders

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Alausa urged the newly appointed board members and institutional heads to prioritise transparency, accountability and innovation.

He said the government’s education reforms are focused on expanding access, improving quality, integrating technology and aligning education with national development goals.

“I urge you to lead with vision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” he said.

“Your mandate is clear, build strong academic programmes, invest in faculty development, promote impactful and solution-oriented research, ensure student welfare, and foster strategic partnerships.”

New appointments announced

Among those inaugurated were Professor Babatunde Salako as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Professor Modupe Adelabu as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Examinations Council (NECO), and Shofoyeke David as Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration.

Others include Dr Bongfa Bonfa as Rector of Federal Polytechnic Nyak-Shendam, Plateau State, and Professor Tijani Kalli as Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama.

The Federal Government has prohibited recipients of honorary degrees from using the title “Dr” in any official, academic or professional setting across Nigeria.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the directive on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Crackdown on ‘Dr’ title misuse

Alausa said the move follows a growing pattern of abuse linked to honorary degrees, which he described as increasingly politicised.

“The recent trend… has revealed a growing abuse and politicisation of this academic privilege,” he stated.

Concerns over patronage and ethics

According to the minister, honorary awards have in some cases been used for political patronage and financial gain.

He also raised concerns about the practice of conferring such honours on serving public officials, noting that it goes against established academic ethics.

New rule takes effect

Under the directive, recipients of honorary doctorates can no longer prefix their names with “Dr”.

Instead, they are expected to clearly state the honorary nature of the award after their names.

Push to restore academic integrity

The government said the decision is aimed at protecting the credibility of academic titles and ensuring that earned qualifications are not undermined.

The development is expected to trigger reactions across academic and public circles, where honorary titles have become increasingly common.