Abuja: The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has called on the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and other student leaders to rally 10 million student votes in support of President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027. This appeal was made public through a statement released in Abuja by Mr. Ikharo Attah, the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the minister.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Alausa emphasized the importance of continuity in the administration’s education reforms to sustain progress in student financing, skills development, infrastructure, and access to higher education. He highlighted that Nigerian students have a significant stake in the upcoming election, as the policies being implemented will directly influence their education, skills, employment prospects, and future opportunities.
Alausa praised President Tinubu for his commitment to young Nigerians, evidenced by policies addressing both immediate challenges and long-standing gaps in the education sector. The minister noted that the administration’s interventions extend beyond traditional investment in classrooms to include areas such as student financing, accommodation, technical and vocational education, entrepreneurship, and campus infrastructure.
One of the administration’s major initiatives is the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), with about N200 billion allocated to the scheme, benefiting over 1.6 million students. Alausa mentioned that recent directives on additional funding sources would further enhance NELFUND, ensuring the continuation of the monthly upkeep allowance for students.
The minister also outlined the government’s investments in student accommodation, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), campus transportation, renewable energy, and entrepreneurship. More than N200 billion has been committed to expanding student accommodation, and over N150 billion invested in TVET infrastructure.
Additionally, Alausa discussed the Student Venture Capital Grant, which supports students in transforming innovative ideas into businesses. The government is considering raising the grant ceiling in the next phase. Renewable energy projects are being expanded across federal tertiary institutions to ensure reliable power for essential facilities like laboratories and hostels.
Efforts to improve campus transportation include deploying additional tricycles, and ongoing engagement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is helping maintain academic stability. Alausa reiterated the administration’s commitment to ensuring that four-year programs are completed within the stipulated time.
Addressing student concerns, Alausa assured that issues threatening the education and future of Nigerian students would be addressed with urgency. The ministry is working to resolve funding challenges affecting Federal Scholarship Awards, strengthen admission processes, and review the accreditation system to prevent students from enrolling in unapproved programs.
Furthermore, Mr. Sunday Asefon, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, stated that the visit by NANS and other student associations aimed to strengthen direct engagement between the Presidency, the Ministry of Education, and the organized student community. He praised student leaders for their advocacy on student welfare and their partnership with the government in identifying challenges and finding practical solutions.
NANS President Babatunde Akinteye commended President Tinubu and Minister Alausa for their interventions in tertiary education, including NELFUND and TVET. He highlighted the positive impact of the student loan scheme and the monthly upkeep support on students facing financial difficulties. Akinteye also expressed concerns over Federal Scholarship Awards, illegal admissions, and accreditation challenges in some institutions, calling for stronger regulatory action to protect students from enrolling in unapproved programs.