The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has urged students of the University of Abuja to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027, pointing to ongoing reforms and financial interventions in the education sector as evidence of progress under the current administration.
Alausa made the appeal on Thursday during the Renewed Hope Conversations – University of Abuja Edition, held at the institution’s main campus, now renamed Yakubu Gowon University, where he highlighted a series of federal initiatives targeted at expanding access to education and improving youth employability.
He disclosed that more than ₦30 billion has already been disbursed directly to students under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme, which is designed to equip young Nigerians with practical skills for self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
According to him, the government has also introduced entrepreneurship-driven schemes within tertiary institutions, including innovation hubs, incubation centres, and venture capital support for student-led businesses, with some projects receiving funding of up to ₦50 million.
The minister explained that these interventions are aimed at shifting the education system away from theory-heavy learning towards practical, skills-based training that aligns with labour market demands and global economic trends.
Alausa also noted that the administration is implementing broader reforms in curriculum development, digital learning, and emerging technologies, including the integration of artificial intelligence and data science into academic programmes from basic to tertiary levels.
He said the reforms are intended to address graduate unemployment by equipping students with relevant skills and encouraging entrepreneurship, rather than dependency on limited white-collar job opportunities.
Speaking further, he emphasized that the student loan scheme under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) was designed to ensure that no student is denied access to higher education due to financial constraints, stressing that repayment only begins after beneficiaries secure employment.
He added that efforts are ongoing to stabilize the academic calendar through improved engagement with tertiary institution stakeholders, with the goal of ensuring uninterrupted academic sessions and timely graduation.
Other ministers who spoke at the event highlighted complementary reforms in regional development and the creative economy, focusing on infrastructure rebuilding, youth empowerment, and funding opportunities for young Nigerians in arts and innovation.
The engagement, which brought together students and policymakers, centered on government policies aimed at youth development, education reform, and national growth, with officials urging students to take an active interest in governance and long-term national planning.