The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, 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 2027.
According to him, the continuity of the administration’s education reforms is critical to sustaining gains in student financing, skills and infrastructure.
Alausa made the call in Abuja during a familiarisation visit by the leadership of NANS and other student associations to the Ministry of Education.
The Minister said Nigerian students have a direct stake in the 2027 election because current policies will shape their education, skills, employment prospects and future opportunities.
“President Tinubu has demonstrated a deep commitment to young Nigerians through policies that address both immediate challenges and long-standing gaps in the education sector,” Alausa said.
“His approach has gone beyond conventional investment in classrooms to include student financing, accommodation, technical and vocational education, entrepreneurship, campus infrastructure and measures to protect the academic calendar.” he stated in a statement by Ikharo Attah, Special Adviser on Media and Communications.
Alausa listed several flagship initiatives of the administration:
NELFUND: About ₦200 billion committed, with more than 1.6 million students benefiting. He assured that monthly upkeep allowances would continue and that additional funding sources directed by the President would strengthen sustainability.
Student Accommodation: Over ₦200 billion committed to expanding hostel facilities.
TVET Infrastructure: More than ₦150 billion invested in technical and vocational education.
Student Venture Capital Grant: Supporting students to turn innovative ideas into businesses, with government considering an increase in the grant ceiling.
Campus Power and Transport: Expansion of renewable energy projects in federal tertiary institutions for labs, workshops and hostels, and deployment of additional campus tricycles to ease transportation.
He also said sustained engagement with ASUU was helping to maintain academic stability and uphold the President’s commitment that “a four-year programme should take four years.”
Alausa also assured that concerns over Federal Scholarship Awards, illegal admissions and accreditation challenges in some institutions were receiving “full attention” and would not be treated with levity.
He said the Ministry was working to resolve funding issues for Federal Scholarship Awards and was undertaking a comprehensive review of the accreditation system.
“The Ministry will maintain an open channel of engagement with your leadership and continue to act on issues affecting your education and welfare,” he said.
The Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda in education, stressing that the President’s promise of a better future for Nigerian youths would be sustained through reforms, investment and opportunities.
President of NANS, Comrade Babatunde Afeez Akinteye, commended Tinubu and the Minister for NELFUND and TVET, noting that the student loan scheme and monthly upkeep had provided significant relief.
However, Akinteye raised concerns over Federal Scholarship Awards, illegal admissions and accreditation challenges in some institutions.
He urged stronger regulatory action to protect students from being admitted into unapproved programmes.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Comrade Sunday Asefon, said the visit was aimed at strengthening direct engagement between the Presidency, the Ministry and the student community.