The management of primary education has been entrusted to the National Primary Education Commission which has the following functions:
Prescribe the minimum standards of primary education throughout Nigeria.
Inquire into and advise Government on the funding of primary education in Nigeria.

Manage the National Primary Education Fund as established by the Federal Government and allocate the funds to the appropriate body desginatedby each State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and to any agency responsible for Special Federal Governent sponsored primary school project.

Collate, after consultation with all the State Governments, periodic master plans for a balanced and co-ordinated development of primary education in Nigeria.

Education of handicapped children was not considered an important investment until quite recently. Infact, the first school for handicapped children (excluding the gifted) was established by the missionaries in 1932. However, by 1974, Government has thought it fit to accord it due priority that it deserves. Since then each State of the Federation has been providing integration facilities for the handicapped in compliance with the Federal Government policy.

Special education is the educational treatment of children and adults who have learning difficulties because of various sorts of disabilities. As a result they are unable to cope with the normal school class organization and methods, without special supportive resources.

There are also the specially gifted and talented children who are intellectually precious and find themselves insufficiently challenged by the programmes of the normal schools, and who may take to behaviour problems in resistance to it. Government has directed that all exceptional children must be provided for under the National Policy on Education.