Nigerian Government Launches Cash Transfer Scheme to Boost School Attendance.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative, the Basic Education Transformation Agenda (BETA), aimed at tackling the country’s out-of-school children crisis through conditional cash transfers to mothers. Announced by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, in Abuja, this reform package seeks to enhance school enrolment and improve educational outcomes across the nation.
The cash transfer programme, a cornerstone of BETA, is designed to incentivise mothers to ensure their children attend Ascertain the child’s school attendance to receive the funds. This initiative is part of a broader Back2School Drive, in collaboration with the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, which will cover the full cost of enrolment during official handovers. Dr Alausa emphasised that the scheme addresses critical challenges such as the high number of out-of-school children, outdated curricula, and inadequate infrastructure.
The BETA programme also includes significant investments in education, with N120 billion allocated for Technical and Vocational Education and Training. Starting from the 2025/2026 academic session, students in federal and state technical colleges will benefit from free tuition, boarding, uniforms, and a monthly stipend of N22,500. The training model will focus on 80% practical and 20% theoretical learning, supported by certified trainers and industry partnerships for internships.
Further reforms under BETA include modernising 38 technical colleges, rehabilitating unity schools with an N80 billion investment, and updating basic education curricula to prioritise critical thinking, digital literacy, and civic responsibility. The government has also introduced the STEMM Nigeria Agenda, offering up to N50 million in grants for undergraduate-led innovations in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medical sciences.
Dr Alausa highlighted that 27 states and the Federal Capital Territory have accessed N78.6 billion in intervention funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission, a 65% increase from previous years. Additional measures include a national anti-bullying policy, expanded school feeding programmes, and health insurance for Almajiri children tied to school enrolment. A €38 million partnership with the French Development Agency will further enhance ICT infrastructure across 10 universities.
“This marks the end of fragmented approaches to education,” Dr Alausa stated. “We are revitalising the system, restoring standards, and equipping Nigerian children to compete globally.” The cash transfer scheme is expected to play a pivotal role in reducing the number of out-of-school children, which currently stands at an estimated 18.3 million, according to UNICEF, making Nigeria the country with the highest number of out-of-school children worldwide.
The initiative has been welcomed as a step towards inclusive education, though experts have called for robust measures to prevent misuse and ensure sustainability. The government has yet to announce specific details on the cash transfer amounts and eligibility criteria, but the programme is seen as a vital tool to support vulnerable families and promote consistent school attendance.
