The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to staff welfare and student safety as he commissioned 75 newly procured vehicles for the Federal Ministry of Education and its institutions.
The vehicles, consisting of 42 ambulances, 23 Hilux vans, and 10 coaster buses, were procured under the 2024 Appropriation to enhance operational efficiency, improve logistics, and promote the wellbeing of staff and students across the Ministry’s departments and unity colleges.
Dr. Alausa explained that the initiative is not just about distributing vehicles but reflects a fundamental principle of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes the welfare of Nigerians and investment in human capital development.
“Today, we commissioned several vehicles that will be used to support the work of our ministry and educational institutions. The ambulances will go to our Federal Unity Colleges to strengthen health and emergency response, while the coaster buses will transport ministry staff to and from work to reduce transportation costs. The Hilux vans will serve official purposes and enhance mobility for senior management and technical officers,” the Minister stated.
He emphasized that the gesture demonstrates government’s care for students and commitment to creating safe, conducive, and well-supported learning environments. “By providing ambulances to our unity colleges, we are ensuring that our students have access to timely medical care. Alongside quality education, their comfort, safety, and wellbeing are equally important,” Dr. Alausa added.
The Minister assured that the Ministry would maintain the vehicles properly, ensure accountability in their use, and expand the initiative to cover more schools and staff in subsequent phases. “We will move to the next phase of providing ambulances to the remaining unity colleges and increasing the fleet of coaster buses to serve more staff,” he said.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, described the commissioning as a significant milestone in strengthening education service delivery. He noted that the vehicles will enhance staff mobility, programme monitoring, and emergency response, while improving overall efficiency in the education system.
Mr. Enitan also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visionary leadership and the dedication of the Honourable Ministers and management of the Ministry for driving initiatives that contribute to national development.
The Director of General Services, in her welcome address, lauded the event as a reflection of the Ministry’s consistent efforts to improve the working conditions of staff and ensure that educational institutions operate under safe and supportive environments.
The ceremony concluded with the official handover of keys to representatives of beneficiary unity colleges and departments, marking another step in the Federal Government’s ongoing investment in education reform and workforce welfare.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
