By Ben Adoga, Abuja
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has declared that education will be the engine of President Bola Tinubu’s ambition to build a $1 trillion Nigerian economy by 2030, saying the Federal Government is repositioning the sector to produce a globally competitive workforce capable of driving national development.
He said the administration’s expanding investments in education, skills development and tertiary institution reforms are aimed at transforming Nigeria’s youthful population into the country’s greatest economic asset.
Speaking during an interview at the weekend, Alausa said the government’s strategy is focused on equipping young Nigerians with globally competitive skills while positioning the country as a leading supplier of skilled workforce.
“We want Nigeria to become a major supplier of skilled workforce to the world. Our responsibility is to produce competent, educated and highly skilled young Nigerians who can drive our economy, contribute to Africa’s development and compete successfully across the global labour market.”
The minister said the administration has significantly expanded admissions into health-related disciplines to tackle critical workforce shortages and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
According to him, annual enrolment into nursing institutions has increased from about 20,000 before the Tinubu administration assumed office to approximately 50,000. At the same time, admissions into medicine, dentistry and pharmacy have also witnessed substantial growth.
He expressed confidence that the reforms would eliminate shortages of healthcare professionals over the next few years as thousands of graduates enter the workforce.
“As President Tinubu advances his vision of building a $1 trillion economy, education will remain the foundation of that transformation.”
Alausa also defended the sustainability of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), assuring Nigerians that the scheme was deliberately structured to outlive the current administration.
“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.”
The minister attributed the relative industrial peace currently being enjoyed in public tertiary institutions to President Tinubu’s emphasis on dialogue, mutual trust and realistic negotiations with academic and non-academic unions.
He noted that the administration demonstrated good faith by approving payment of 50 per cent of withheld salaries inherited from previous disputes, while also implementing nearly 40 per cent salary increases for workers in tertiary institutions.
According to him, improved industrial harmony is already translating into better academic performance and stronger international recognition for Nigerian universities.
Alausa cited the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings, which showed that the number of Nigerian universities listed globally increased from 21 to 24, with public universities reclaiming the country’s top positions.
“The improved global ranking of our universities reflects the impact of sustained investments, institutional stability and reforms that are strengthening the quality and competitiveness of Nigeria’s higher education system.”
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding access to quality education, strengthening human capital development and implementing reforms capable of supporting sustainable economic growth.
He maintained that under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, education would remain the cornerstone of Nigeria’s long-term economic transformation and prosperity.
