Nigeria’s education sector is being re-engineered under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with a renewed focus on skills, teacher quality, student funding and data-driven planning.

The reforms are guided by a policy roadmap known as “Education for Renewed Hope,” which aims to better prepare young Nigerians for employment and global competitiveness.

Speaking on the initiative, Hon. Fatoki Abiodun Olumide, convener of the Joorefade Initiative, said the government is moving away from an education model that prioritised enrolment figures over learning outcomes.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is about fixing the foundation of education and ensuring that Nigerian youths graduate with skills that are relevant to today’s economy,” he said.

Why it matters

Nigeria has one of the world’s largest populations of out-of-school children and a growing number of unemployed graduates.

Education experts say aligning learning with labour-market needs could help reduce poverty, boost productivity and support President Tinubu’s long-term economic growth plans.

A new framework: DOTS

At the heart of the reforms is the DOTS policy, introduced by the Federal Ministry of Education.

It focuses on Data, Out-of-School Children, Teachers and Skills, with plans to build a nationwide education data repository that tracks learners from primary school to tertiary institutions.

Officials say this will improve planning, prevent “ghost student” records and ensure resources reach the right schools.

The policy also prioritises teacher retraining, digital literacy and incentives aimed at keeping experienced educators in classrooms.

Tackling out-of-school children

The government says it is partnering with state governments and traditional institutions to bring millions of out-of-school children back into learning.

This includes blending formal education with local and vocational learning models to reach children in hard-to-access communities.

Student loans and funding reform

One of the most far-reaching changes is the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Under the scheme, students can access interest-free loans to cover tuition and receive monthly upkeep allowances.

Education analysts say the policy could significantly expand access to universities and polytechnics for students from low-income households.

“Removing tuition pressure from parents has the potential to democratise higher education,” said an education finance analyst in Lagos.

Skills for a trillion-dollar economy

The Renewed Hope Agenda also places strong emphasis on technical and vocational education.

Polytechnics are being strengthened to deliver high-end skills in areas such as renewable energy, artificial intelligence and robotics.

The government-backed 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme aims to train young Nigerians for global digital jobs, while apprenticeship schemes are being formalised through the National Skills Qualification Framework.

According to Hon. Fatoki, initiatives like Joorefade are already working with artisans to ensure informal skills gain national recognition.

Infrastructure and safety

Beyond policy, the reforms include plans to upgrade learning environments.

The Universal Basic Education Commission is rolling out Smart Schools equipped with internet access and digital tools, particularly in rural areas.

Security measures are also being expanded under the Safe Schools Initiative, targeting regions affected by insecurity.

Industry and public reactions

Education advocates have broadly welcomed the reforms but stress that implementation will be key.

Some parents and students say access to loans and skills training could be life-changing, while others urge transparency and accountability in rollout.

What’s next

The government says progress will be monitored through data dashboards and periodic reviews.

Analysts believe the success of the reforms will depend on sustained funding, state-level cooperation and measurable outcomes in employment and learning quality.

Journalists and civil society groups in Nigeria have been urged to play a stronger role in reshaping the country’s food system, as new data shows non-communicable diseases now account for nearly one-third of all deaths nationwide.

The call was made on 15th January 2026 at a training on Effective Reporting of the Planetary Health Diet, organised by Food Justice and the Renevelyn Development Initiative in Lagos.

The session brought together local and international experts to examine how food choices affect health outcomes, environmental sustainability and public policy  and why journalists are central to driving change.

Why this matters

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer are now responsible for 30% of all deaths in Nigeria, with more than 617,000 fatalities recorded in 2020.

About 22% of those deaths were premature, affecting people between the ages of 30 and 70, according to data shared at the training.

Cardiovascular diseases alone caused over 190,000 deaths in 2021, overtaking many infectious diseases that once dominated Nigeria’s health landscape.

Experts say poor diets, urban lifestyles and rising consumption of processed foods are accelerating the crisis.

Training journalists to tell the food story better

Opening the session, Mr Philip Jakpor, who delivered the welcome address, said the goal was to equip journalists with the knowledge needed to report accurately on the Planetary Health Diet (PHD).

“This training is about helping journalists understand what the planetary health diet really means for Nigeria and how it goes beyond the traditional idea of a balanced diet,” he said.

He explained that while last year’s engagement focused on government ministries, this year’s convening was deliberately targeted at journalists and civil society organisations.

“The media shapes public understanding. If journalists get this right, policies and behaviour will follow,” he added.

What is the Planetary Health Diet?

The Planetary Health Diet is a science-based reference diet developed by the EAT-Lancet Commission, designed to improve human health while reducing environmental damage.

It emphasises fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds, while limiting red and processed meat, refined sugars and ultra-processed foods.

Experts at the session stressed that the diet is not strictly vegetarian, but encourages moderation and sustainability.

Children at the centre of the crisis

Speaking on Planetary Health Diet and Children, Dr Makoyawo Olayinka warned that unhealthy diets are already affecting Nigerian children’s growth, learning and long-term health.

“A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains supports immunity, brain development and healthy growth,” she said.

She warned that the absence of such diets could lead to childhood obesity, learning disabilities, vitamin deficiencies, type-2 diabetes and increased cancer risk later in life.

Dr Olayinka added that school feeding programmes and family-level interventions are critical to reversing the trend.

Global evidence, local lessons

Introducing the EAT-Lancet Commission 2.0, Dr Percival Agordoh of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ghana, said the updated report responds to global food shocks, inequality and climate pressures since 2019.

“The world needs a Great Food Transformation — one that is healthy, sustainable and just,” he said.

The new report expands the Planetary Health Diet into four adaptable patterns — flexitarian, pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan — while placing stronger emphasis on equity, food access and governance.

It recommends cutting unhealthy food consumption by more than 50%, doubling intake of healthy foods, halving food waste and reforming agricultural subsidies.

What Nigeria can learn from Mexico

Drawing from Mexican dietary reforms, Andrea Arango of Mexico’s National Institute of Public Health said healthier, sustainable diets are not only better for health but also cheaper.

“Healthy diets in Mexico cost less than current eating patterns and reduce environmental damage significantly,” she explained.

According to her findings, plant-based diets reduced land use by up to 53%, carbon footprints by 63%, and biodiversity loss by 98%.

She called for fiscal policies, food subsidies and restrictions on junk-food advertising to support healthier choices.

Mainstreaming PHD into Lagos public health

Environmental health scientist Dr Chioma Joy Okonkwo said Lagos already has systems that can support planetary health diets, if sustainability is fully integrated.

“Mainstreaming means embedding planetary health into everyday public health planning, budgeting and service delivery,” she said.

She identified school feeding programmes, maternal health services and primary healthcare centres as key entry points.

Dr Okonkwo urged journalists to track policy implementation and connect food policies to real-life experiences.

School meals as a game changer

From Milan, Ottavia Pieretto of the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP) highlighted the global impact of sustainable school feeding programmes.

She said 466 million children worldwide now receive school meals, with every dollar invested generating up to $35 in economic benefits.

Cities like Milan, Addis Ababa, Nairobi and São Paulo, she noted, have used school meals to improve nutrition, boost attendance and support local farmers, lessons Nigeria could adapt.

The media’s responsibility

In a session on impactful reporting, participants were urged to avoid bias, adapt global evidence to local food cultures and address criticisms transparently.

Journalists were encouraged to use success stories, data-driven storytelling and investigative reporting to push accountability.

“Food is political. How we report it determines who benefits and who suffers,”Veteran Journalist, Tope Oluwaleye noted.

What’s next

Organisers said the insights from the training would feed into advocacy, policy engagement and media reporting across Nigeria.

A new global report, Lancet 2.0, will be shared with participants, alongside continued expert engagements aimed at bridging knowledge gaps and influencing policy action.

Nigeria’s real estate market is set for another year of expansion as Adron Homes gathers its top leadership to chart its 2026 business direction.

Adron Homes has kicked off its 2026 National Business Convention, setting out a strategic roadmap aimed at deepening innovation, strengthening leadership, and expanding its footprint across Nigeria’s real estate sector.

The convention, themed “Breaking New Grounds, Beyond and Above 2.0,” brings together senior executives, directors, and managers from across the country to review performance and align plans for the year ahead.

Leadership sets the tone

Opening the convention, the Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of Adron Homes, Sir Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, urged managers to sustain excellence and embrace innovation as the company prepares for its next phase of growth.

He charged leaders across the organisation to focus on disciplined execution and sustainable expansion, as Adron Homes continues to strengthen its nationwide presence.

“Breaking New Grounds, Beyond and Above 2.0” reflects the company’s ambition to push boundaries and raise standards in Nigeria’s property development space.

Inside Adron Homes’ 2026 plans

At the convention, the Executive Vice Chairman, Olori Aderonke Emmanuelking, presented Adron Homes’ proposed 2026 budget framework.

The presentation outlined key growth priorities, operational benchmarks, and financial expectations aimed at improving efficiency and delivering long-term value for clients and investors.

According to the company, the budget reflects a focus on structured expansion, internal capacity building, and scalable impact across its estates nationwide.

Directors from various departments also presented their individual budget proposals, highlighting opportunities for expansion, operational optimisation, and cross-functional collaboration.

Industry reactions

Participants at the convention described the sessions as engaging and forward-looking, noting that the discussions helped reinforce a shared growth vision among senior leadership.

Some real estate professionals say Adron Homes’ emphasis on planning and leadership development reflects a growing maturity in Nigeria’s property sector, where firms are increasingly focused on sustainability rather than short-term gains.

Beyond budgets: building leadership capacity

In addition to financial planning, the convention features strategic training sessions led by senior executives.

These sessions are designed to strengthen leadership capacity, improve operational effectiveness, and prepare managers for emerging market realities in 2026.

Organisers say the approach is aimed at ensuring the company remains competitive amid rising construction costs, regulatory changes, and shifting buyer expectations.

What’s next

As the convention continues, Adron Homes is expected to finalise its 2026 operational roadmap and roll out implementation plans across its regional offices.

The company says the outcomes will guide project delivery, customer engagement, and market expansion throughout the year.