Overview

The National Policy on Education (NPE) 2013 is the official education policy document of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, published by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC). This sixth edition updates previous versions (first published in 1977, with editions in 1981, 1998, 2004, and 2007) to align Nigeria's education system with contemporary global and national developmental goals. The policy serves as a comprehensive guideline for the administration, management, and implementation of education across all tiers of government. It outlines intentions, expectations, goals, prescriptions, standards, and requirements for quality education delivery. The revision was driven by the need to respond to rapid social, economic, and political reforms, both locally and globally, and to integrate international commitments such as Education for All (EFA) and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as Nigeria's own National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS), which began in 2004. The document is structured into ten sections covering the philosophy and goals of education, basic education (including early childhood, pre-primary, primary, and junior secondary), post-basic education and career development (senior secondary and technical/vocational training), mass and nomadic education (literacy and non-formal), tertiary education (university, teacher, technology, and innovation enterprises), open and distance education, special needs education, educational support services, planning and administration (including quality assurance and assessment), and funding and partnerships. The policy emphasizes a holistic approach to education, aiming to foster national unity, social progress, and economic development through equitable access and high standards.

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