Speaking in an interview at the weekend, the Minister said sustained investments in human capital development, skills acquisition and tertiary education reforms are laying the foundation for long-term national prosperity.
Dr. Alausa stated that the administration is deliberately repositioning Nigeria’s education sector to produce a globally competitive workforce that can meet domestic needs and supply skilled professionals to Africa and the international labour market.
In a statement by Ikharo Attah, Special Adviser (Media and Communications), he said “We want to be the manpower supplier of the world. We need to produce competent, skilled and educated young Nigerians who will drive our economy, contribute to Africa’s growth and compete successfully across the world,”
He added that the Federal Government is transforming Nigeria’s youthful population into a demographic dividend by expanding access to quality education and equipping young people with relevant knowledge and skills.
The Minister highlighted the aggressive expansion of admissions into health-related programmes to address longstanding shortages.
According to him, annual enrolment into nursing schools has increased from about 20,000 students before the administration assumed office to approximately 50,000 students. Admissions into medicine, pharmacy and dentistry have also been significantly expanded.
He expressed confidence that the reforms would, within the next few years, eliminate shortages of healthcare professionals as thousands of newly trained graduates enter the workforce.
On the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, Dr. Alausa said it was deliberately structured on a sustainable financing model capable of supporting generations of students.
“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,” he stated.
The Minister credited President Tinubu’s leadership style of dialogue, trust and mutual respect for restoring stability across tertiary institutions.
He noted that the President fulfilled the commitment to pay 50 per cent of withheld salaries inherited from previous disputes within months of assuming office, and also approved a nearly 40 per cent salary increase for workers in tertiary institutions.
Dr. Alausa said the renewed atmosphere of industrial peace is producing results, pointing to the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings, noting that the number of Nigerian universities recognised globally rose from 21 to 24, with public universities reclaiming the top positions nationally for the first time in many years.
“Evidence that the Federal Government’s reforms are yielding tangible outcomes,” he said.
The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to implementing transformative policies that expand access to quality education, strengthen human capital development and prepare Nigerian youths to compete in a rapidly changing global economy.
“As the President advances his vision of building a one trillion-dollar economy, education will remain at the centre of that transformation,” he stated.