In a bid to address the education gap in Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Councils, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has sought partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education. Led by its National President, Hon Aminu Mu’azu Maifata, a delegation from ALGON paid a courtesy call to the Federal Minister of Education in Abuja.

The meeting, which took place on [date], aimed to explore ways to leverage Local Government financial autonomy to benefit primary education, a core mandate of the Ministry. Maifata expressed gratitude to the Minister for granting the meeting and emphasized the need for capacity building, innovative education approaches, and best practices in primary education.

He noted that addressing the financial obligations of Primary School Teachers, including welfare, pension, training, and enabling environment, would be prioritized. The Minister of State for Education, Hon Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the Supreme Court judgment granting autonomy to Local Governments.

Sununu highlighted the Ministry’s priorities, including quality assurance, basic education, and policy development, and emphasized the importance of ALGON’s partnership in achieving these goals. The meeting extensively discussed critical issues such as teacher training and retraining, material needs assessment, and infrastructure development.

The Minister called for ALGON’s introspection to identify gaps and prioritize human capital development, while also emphasizing the need to de-escalate party politics in service delivery. Key ALGON officials, including the Deputy National President Hon Moses Nomeh, National Legal Adviser Hon Sani Ahmad, Chief of Staff Hon Shehu Jega, and Ag. Director General Bar Mrs Evan Enekwe, attended the meeting alongside Directors from the Ministry of Education.

This partnership seeks to address the education gap in LGAs and Councils, ensuring effective education delivery at the grassroots level. By collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Education, ALGON aims to prioritize human capital development and improve primary education outcomes in Nigeria.