By Omoyeni Ojeifo
The Federal Government and education stakeholders have called for stronger collaboration with journalists to ensure Nigerians understand ongoing reforms in the education sector and hold stakeholders accountable for better learning outcomes.
Persecondnews correspondent reports that stakeholders made the call on Wednesday at the 2026 Annual Education Summit of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN) in Abuja, themed: “Three Years of the Tinubu Administration: Assessing Reforms, Achievements and Challenges in Nigeria’s Education Sector.”
Speaking at the event, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the media remained a strategic partner in national development, urging education correspondents to continue reporting government policies, programmes and reforms accurately.
He said the ministry’s transparent policy was aimed at strengthening communication between government and Nigerians through credible journalism.
“The Federal Ministry of Education operates an open-door policy because we recognise that the media is not merely a stakeholder, but a strategic partner in national development,” he said.
Alausa commended ECAN members for their role in reporting developments in the education sector, and urged journalists to continue taking up roles that reflects positivity in the society.
“The report shapes public understanding, stimulates constructive debate and strengthens accountability across the education sector.”
In her remarks, Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, called on education correspondents to continue engaging with the ministry and support efforts aimed at improving the education sector through responsible reporting.
She urged Nigerians to be patient with ongoing reforms, stressing that meaningful transformation requires time, consistency and commitment.
“The Ministry of Education has the highest number of reforms so far. Change is never easy. But if you want to see a different result, you have to change what you are doing.”
Ahmad said reforms, particularly in areas such as teacher training and quality improvement, would not produce immediate results but require sustained implementation.
“Don’t expect to see results now. Don’t say that we have started educational reforms for teacher training and expect teachers to become effective tomorrow. It will not happen like that. It takes time,” she added.
Also speaking, Ikaro Attah, Special Adviser to the Minister of Education on Media, speaking on behalf of all directors, urged journalists to go beyond reporting reforms and take ownership of initiatives aimed at improving the education sector.
He said the media has a critical role in ensuring continuity and public understanding of government policies.
“The structure for continuity is you and your colleagues, the journalists. The truth is, you must buy it, you must own it, and that is the part.”
On her part, FCT Council Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Grace Ike, said the summit provided an opportunity for objective assessment of ongoing reforms in the education sector.
She urged education correspondents to examine whether reforms were producing results in classrooms, improving teachers’ capacity and expanding access to quality education.
“We must ask relevant questions: Are reforms reaching the classrooms? Are teachers really improving? Are learning conditions improving? Are students in public institutions gaining better access to quality education?”
Ike said while challenges remain in the sector, reforms should be seen as a process requiring commitment, political will and continuous evaluation.
“The media is not just a reporter of events; it is a driver of public accountability and social progress,”she also said.
Addressing participants, ECAN Chairman, Mr. Chux Ukwuatu, said the summit was organised to provide a platform for an honest assessment of reforms, progress and challenges in Nigeria’s education sector.
He said education correspondents have a responsibility beyond reporting events, stressing the need for accurate, balanced and impactful journalism that contributes to national development.
“As education correspondents, we recognise that our responsibility extends beyond the reporting of events. We are partners in national development through accurate, balanced and impactful reporting.”
Ukwuatu said the gathering was designed to promote constructive engagement among policymakers, practitioners, development partners and the media towards strengthening the education system.
“This summit is therefore not intended mainly as a review of government policy, but a platform for constructive engagement, evidence-based dialogue, exchange of ideas among policymakers, practitioners, development partners and the media on how best to strengthen the education system for future generations,” he explained.
The summit featured presentation of awards to outstanding personalities and institutions for their contributions to the development of Nigeria’s education sector.
Among those recognised were the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who received the ECAN Award for Outstanding Leadership in Education Transformation; the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono; the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede; the Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu; and the Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, among others.
The event was attended by stakeholders across the education sector, including representatives of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), and other agencies under the Federal Ministry of Education.
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