By Adeola Kunle
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has called on the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and other student leaders to mobilise 10 million student votes for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Alausa said the continuation of the administration’s education reforms was essential to consolidating progress made in student financing, skills development, infrastructure and access to tertiary education.
The Minister made the call in Abuja when the leadership of NANS and other student associations visited him for a familiarisation meeting. He explained that Nigerian students had a significant interest in the 2027 election because policies being implemented by the present administration would have a direct impact on their education, skills, employment opportunities and future prospects.
According to him, President Tinubu has shown strong commitment to improving the lives of young Nigerians through policies designed to address immediate difficulties as well as longstanding challenges in the education sector.
Alausa noted that the administration’s intervention went beyond the traditional focus on classrooms and school buildings, covering student financing, accommodation, technical and vocational education, entrepreneurship, campus infrastructure and efforts to protect the academic calendar.
The Minister described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as one of the major achievements of the administration, disclosing that approximately N200 billion had been committed to the programme, with more than 1.6 million students already benefiting.
He added that President Tinubu’s recent directives on additional sources of funding would further improve the sustainability of NELFUND. He also assured students that the monthly upkeep allowance would continue.
Alausa further listed investments in student accommodation, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), campus transportation, renewable energy and entrepreneurship among the administration’s major interventions.
He disclosed that more than N200 billion had been committed to expanding student accommodation, while over N150 billion had been invested in TVET infrastructure.
On entrepreneurship, the Minister said the Student Venture Capital Grant (SVCG) was enabling students with innovative ideas to develop them into businesses and become employers of labour. He added that the government was considering raising the maximum amount available under the grant during its next phase.
The Minister also said the government was paying attention to the daily challenges that could affect students’ ability to study effectively and complete their academic programmes.
He explained that renewable energy projects were being expanded across federal tertiary institutions to provide dependable electricity for laboratories, workshops, libraries and hostels.
He also disclosed plans for the deployment of additional tricycles on campuses to improve transportation for students.
According to Alausa, continued discussions with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) were contributing to academic stability and supporting President Tinubu’s commitment that a four-year academic programme should be completed within four years.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Comrade Sunday Asefon, said the purpose of the visit was to strengthen direct communication and cooperation among the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Education and organised student groups.
Asefon praised NANS and other student representatives for their advocacy on student welfare, noting that their cooperation with government was important in identifying challenges within tertiary institutions and developing practical solutions.
The NANS President, Comrade Babatunde Afeez Akinteye, also commended President Tinubu and the Minister of Education for interventions such as NELFUND and TVET.
He said the student loan programme had made a meaningful impact on beneficiaries, adding that the monthly upkeep allowance had become an important form of financial relief for students experiencing economic difficulties.
Akinteye appealed to the government to maintain the initiative.
The NANS president, however, raised concerns about Federal Scholarship Awards, illegal admissions and accreditation problems affecting students in some institutions.
He urged the government to strengthen regulatory measures against institutions admitting students into programmes without the necessary approval or adequate capacity.
Akinteye stressed that student leaders were prepared to work with the government to find lasting solutions to the challenges.
Responding to the concerns, Alausa assured the student leaders that the Ministry was giving them serious attention.
He said issues that could negatively affect the education and future of Nigerian students would not be handled casually.
On the Federal Scholarship Awards, the Minister said the Ministry was working to address the funding difficulties affecting the programme.
He also said efforts were underway to strengthen admission procedures and conduct a comprehensive review of the accreditation system to prevent students from being admitted into unapproved programmes or becoming stranded after spending several years studying.
Alausa added that relevant government agencies and stakeholders were being mobilised to implement the required corrective measures without unnecessary delays.
The Minister assured the student community that the Ministry would continue to maintain open communication with student leaders and respond to issues affecting their education and welfare.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the education sector, saying the administration’s vision for a better future for Nigerian youths would be sustained through reforms, investments and opportunities.
According to him, these measures are intended to help young Nigerians obtain quality education, acquire relevant skills, create employment opportunities and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s national development.
Adeola Kunle
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