The Democratic Front (TDF) has praised the Federal Government’s Lumina programme, describing it as a significant step toward tackling the issue of out-of-school children in Nigeria. In a statement released on Tuesday, the group’s Chairman, Malam Danjuma Muhammad, said the initiative reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to human capital development.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Lumina programme was launched on April 23 and is designed to provide foundational literacy and numeracy skills, particularly for girls living in remote and underserved communities.
Muhammad noted that the Lumina programme is one of several interventions introduced by the Tinubu-led administration to improve Nigeria’s education sector. He highlighted that the initiative, which has been running for nearly two years, is making strides in improving access to basic education among vulnerable children across the country.
“We are elated that this initiative is achieving its purpose,” Muhammad stated. “We believe it has the potential to permanently reduce the alarming number of out-of-school children, currently estimated at over 10 million.”
He added that the programme holds particular promise for advancing the education of girls in difficult-to-reach areas and urged that it be institutionalised to ensure its continuity and long-term impact.
TDF called on stakeholders across Nigeria’s education sector—especially in the Northern states and local governments—to ensure the full implementation of the programme in their communities. The group expressed concern that the North remains the most affected by the out-of-school crisis, a situation it said has contributed to insecurity, poverty, and economic stagnation in the region.
TDF also appealed to political leaders and other influential figures in the North to actively support the Federal Government’s efforts in addressing this longstanding challenge.
