By Dr Femi Akinfala
Dr Moruf Tunji Alausa’s tenure as Nigeria’s Minister of Education has marked a period of significant change and renewal, reflecting both the depth of his academic experience and his commitment as a stakeholder in the country’s educational future. Over the decades, Nigeria’s educational sector has wrestled with multifaceted challenges –ranging from underfunding and policy inconsistency to politicization and a lack of innovation. While successive governments have made varied attempts at reform, the current administration stands out for its decisive and competence-driven approach.
This shift in philosophy became clear with President Bola Tinubu’s 2022 cabinet reshuffle, which brousuring Alausa to the helm of the Ministry of Education. Under his guidance, there has been a conscious effort to move away from old patterns of short-term fixes and reactive governance. Instead, he prefers strategic planning and enduring solutions. Dr Alausa has since showcased visionary leadership, resilience, and an unyielding determination to restore the sector’s lost glory.
Central to his reform agenda is the Nigerian Educational Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI). This is a broad and well-conceived framework designed to tackle Nigeria’s most pressing educational challenges. NESRI is driven by six core goals: expanding Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET); strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM); addressing the problem of Out-of-School Children (OOSC) and the Almajiri system; advancing Girl-Child Education; leveraging Data and Digitization; and assuring Education Quality. This holistic approach has widened participation and fostered cooperation among educators, parents, government agencies, and development partners.
Importantly, NESRI’s goals are complemented by a substantial increase in federal investment in education, at a time when the country is also seeking to improve access to higher learning through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). Together, these twin pillars lay the foundations for a more educated and employable workforce. NESRI is equipping students with foundational skills, innovative thinking, and the ability to seize modern economic opportunities, while NELFUND eliminates financial barriers that might otherwise jeopardize a promising academic trajectory.
In my capacity as Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the NELFUND, I have had the privilege of witnessing first-hand Dr Alausa’s hands-on approach. He interacts with the urgency and precision of an emergency responder to NELFUND, so as to ensure it continues to serve as a lifeline for countless Nigerian students. His proactive leadership guarantees that the program remains unencumbered by bureaucracy or lack of resources. To date, NELFUND has disbursed N192,888,267,439.25 (One hundred and Ninety-two billion, Eight hundred and eighty million, Two hundred and sixty-seven thousand, four hundred and thirty-nine naira, twenty-five kobo) as institutional fees and another N129,801,872,000.00 (one hundred and twenty-nine billion, eight hundred and one million, eight hundred and seventy-two thousand) as monthly upkeep, totaling N322,690,139,439.25.
Recognizing the critical role of youth in Nigeria’s socio-economic development, Dr Alausa has prioritized initiatives like TVET that directly address the skills and employment gap. As of today, the Federal Ministry of Education has disbursed N8,923,473,000 as Centre Fee across 716 centres; the Ministry has also disbursed N4,260,015,000 as Stipends Fee for 44,626 beneficiaries, while total payment for centres and stipends is N13,183,488,000.
As Africa’s largest economy continues to diversify, the demand for skilled labour has become more urgent than ever. Collaboration with industries, expansion of curricula, and improved infrastructure are all parts of this drive. Under Alausa’s stewardship, at least ₦13.98 billion has been invested in TVET across 1,700 centres nationwide. This includes targeted support, amounting to ₦10.57 billion disbursed directly to training centres, ensuring they have the requisite resources for tuition and instructional materials.
STEMM education has also been given renewed attention. In just a short period, the Ministry has established 20 new institutions and rehabilitated 18 medical schools with an investment of ₦110 billion. These projects have modernized facilities, enhanced research capabilities, and enlarged the pipeline of healthcare professionals, engineers, and innovators. Twelve Engineering and Technology faculties have also been improved, yielding greater specialization and innovation. Most impressively, over one million STEMM scholarships have been awarded, ensuring that talented individuals from across the country have the opportunity to develop crucial technical skills.
Entrepreneurship among students has received a welcome boost with the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG), which provides equity-free startup capital to aspiring young business leaders. In the initial round, 45 students shared a total of ₦2.25 billion, underlining the government’s commitment to nurturing a culture of innovation and self-reliance among Nigerian youth.
Tackling the persistent problem of Out-of-School Children (OOSC) is another area where Dr Alausa has set new benchmarks. The Ministry has constructed over 120 learning centres and established 36 state offices to coordinate outreach. Additionally, 1,400 Tsangaya teachers have been trained to help reintegrate approximately one million former OOSC, an achievement that not only addresses social inequalities but also deploys education as a tool for personal and national transformation.
Promoting gender equity is also a cornerstone of Minister Alausa’s vision. The launch of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), a $1.2 billion World Bank-assisted initiative, bears testament to the Ministry’s resolve. Currently operating in 21 states, AGILE focuses on skills development—particularly digital and economic empowerment—for adolescent girls, as well as ensuring safer academic environments. This approach not only tackles barriers to girl-child education but also sets a new standard for inclusive learning.
Recognizing the digital age’s demands, Dr Alausa’s ministry is set to roll out the Digital Training Academy (DTA), mirroring the National “3 Million Technical Talent” initiative led by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. To maximize impact, the Ministry is collaborating with the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP) to ensure that DTA graduates secure job placements, both at home and abroad, especially through NATEP’s ‘Hire from Nigeria’ campaign. By connecting training with employment opportunities, the Ministry guarantees that certificates lead to meaningful and productive careers.
In addition to these initiatives, the Ministry has recently unveiled five major programs—NG-CARES, SOLID, HOPE-Gov, HOPE-Edu, and HOPE-PHC—designed to foster multisectoral human capital development. Supported by a $552 million World Bank grant, these efforts are projected to reach over 29 million children, upgrade 65,000 schools and 10,000 non-formal learning centres, and empower more than 500,000 teachers nationwide.
Dr Alausa’s commitment extends to enhancing inclusivity and health education as well. The Ministry has expanded specialized courses by increasing the number of universities offering Audiology, Speech and Language Therapy, and Occupational Therapy programs from four to sixteen. This represents proactive steps to support learners with special needs, particularly autistic students, and to produce more qualified healthcare professionals.
However, the full value of these massive investments and reforms cannot be realized unless student safety is ensured. Dr Alausa’s words, “The safety of our learners is non-negotiable, and we will continue to do everything necessary to protect them,” reflect not just political rhetoric but resolute action. The revitalization of the Safe Schools Initiative—undertaken in close partnership with the Ministry of Defence under Major General Christopher Musa (Rtd.)—stands as a clear affirmation of this priority. This collaboration is enhancing security protocols, early-warning systems, and rapid response capabilities in schools, especially in regions vulnerable to violence and abduction.
The depth and breadth of these achievements are a testament to Dr Alausa’s purposeful and unrelenting leadership. Under his guidance, the Ministry has ushered in an era of continuous policy innovation and delivery. His experience as a consultant nephrologist with a keen appreciation for the long arc of history fuels his determination to leave a lasting legacy in the sands of time.
In conclusion, Dr Moruf Tunji Alausa’s impact as Minister of Education serves as a powerful example of how visionary leadership, strategic investment, and genuine stakeholder engagement can breathe new life into Nigeria’s educational sector. By prioritizing competence, inclusion, and innovation, he is not only addressing old challenges but paving the way for a future in which Nigerian students, regardless of background, will be equipped to compete and thrive on the global stage.
The journey is far from over, but under Dr Alausa’s stewardship, the outlook for education in Nigeria is brighter than it has been in time past.
Dr Fred Femi Akinfala writes from Abuja.
