ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a dialogue with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palais des Élysée, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritizing education for Nigerian children.

The President outlined plans to significantly reduce the number of out-of-school children through innovative return-to-class initiatives and skills development programs.

A statement by Bayo Onanuga, a presidential spokesman said that President Tinubu at the dialogue with the France President, highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to create a supportive framework that ensures school-age children re-enter classrooms, emphasizing the role of motivation and skill acquisition in this initiative.

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“In order to bridge the gap for some who are of age, and have been out of school for a while, we will encourage skills development,” the President added.

Accompanied by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the President stressed to President Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron that Nigeria’s developmental potential hinges on a well-educated populace.

“The insecurity in some parts of the country makes it hard for children to return to school, but we are gradually re-populating the classrooms. And we need skills development to bridge the gaps,” the President stated.

President Tinubu highlighted the notable progress in enhancing security across Nigeria, employing “kinetic” strategies as part of the peace-building process.

“With some more efforts, we will be able to get some level of stability. We had very good harvest this year. And as soon as more farmers can go back to the farm, we will have more stability in harvest and supply,” he said.

In response, President Macron acknowledged Nigeria’s vast growth potential and the importance of investing in educational initiatives. He reflected on his formative experiences during a six-month internship at the French Embassy in Nigeria, including visits to Lagos and Kano.

President Macron and Brigitte Macron expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their State Visit, promising to elevate the France-Nigeria partnership to new heights.