A new chapter for the Ivorian education system began on Friday as N’Guessan Koffi officially assumed his role as Minister of National Education, Literacy, and Technical Training.
Following the cabinet reshuffle on January 23, 2026, the handover ceremony saw the outgoing minister, Professor Mariatou Kone, transfer leadership to Koffi in a ceremony overseen by government officials and local leaders. Koffi, who previously managed the Technical Training and Apprenticeship portfolio, arrives with a mandate centered on transforming schools into the primary engine for a “Greater Ivory Coast.”
The new minister’s strategy prioritizes a “solidarity around education,” emphasizing that learning is the fundamental lever for national emergence. Central to this vision is a renewed focus on the teacher-student partnership, which Koffi believes is the essential human connection needed to drive academic success. By leveraging his background as a trainer and administrator, he aims to move beyond traditional public service delivery toward a more collaborative and effective educational environment.
Koffi’s ultimate goal is to align the school system with the demands of the modern economy, effectively turning classrooms into “factories of skills.” His vision includes producing a diverse intellectual and technical elite, ranging from skilled workers and technicians to high-level managers and engineers. By focusing on quality personnel and market-ready expertise, the ministry plans to enhance the global appeal and local effectiveness of Ivorian schools.
AP/fss/abj/APA