POLITICAL POLITICS

Education Remains Driving Force Behind Tinubu’s Vision – Alausa

by admin on | 2026-07-27 11:37:29

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By Ahmad Sirajo Makama, Abuja

Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has said education will remain the driving force behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of building a one trillion-dollar Nigerian economy, noting that sustained investments in human capital development, skills acquisition and tertiary education reforms are laying the foundation for long-term national prosperity.

Speaking with journalists at the weekend in Abuja, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, the minister said the administration is repositioning Nigeria’s education sector to produce a globally competitive workforce capable of meeting national development needs and supplying skilled professionals to Africa and the global labour market.

He said the Federal Government is transforming Nigeria’s youthful population into a demographic dividend by expanding access to quality education and equipping young people with relevant skills for a competitive global economy.

“We want to be the manpower supplier of the world. We need to produce competent, skilled and educated young Nigerians who will drive our economy, contribute to Africa’s growth and compete successfully across the world,” Dr Alausa said.

The minister said a key intervention of the administration is the expansion of admissions into health-related programmes to address shortages of critical professionals.

He disclosed that annual enrolment into nursing schools has risen from about 20,000 students before the current administration to approximately 50,000, while admissions into medicine, pharmacy and dentistry have also increased significantly.

Dr Alausa expressed confidence that the reforms would eliminate shortages of healthcare professionals in the coming years as more graduates enter the workforce.

He attributed the progress to President Tinubu’s commitment to education, describing it as the bedrock of Nigeria’s economic transformation.

“As the President advances his vision of building a one trillion-dollar economy, education will remain at the centre of that transformation,” he said.

The minister also assured Nigerians that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has been structured on a sustainable financing model capable of supporting future generations of students.

“There is no value in introducing policies that cannot stand the test of time. Sustainability is central to this administration’s philosophy, and that principle guided the design of NELFUND,” he said.

On industrial harmony in tertiary institutions, Dr Alausa credited President Tinubu’s leadership style, anchored on dialogue and mutual respect, for improving relations between the Federal Government and academic unions.

“President Tinubu fulfilled his commitment to pay 50 per cent of the withheld salaries inherited from previous disputes within months of assuming office, a move that demonstrated credibility and rebuilt trust between government and university unions,” he said.

He added that the administration approved a salary increase of nearly 40 per cent for workers in tertiary institutions to improve welfare while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Dr Alausa said the improved industrial climate is yielding results, citing the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings, which showed an increase in Nigerian universities recognised globally from 21 to 24, with public universities reclaiming top national positions.

He described the development as evidence that ongoing reforms are producing tangible outcomes, reflecting the impact of sustained investment and institutional stability.

Dr Alausa reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to policies that expand access to quality education, strengthen human capital development and prepare Nigerian youths to compete globally.

He said under the Renewed Hope Agenda, education will remain central to sustainable economic growth, national development and shared prosperity.