By Kwin Israel, The Sight News
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has said that education remains the cornerstone of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to build a one trillion-dollar economy by 2030, with ongoing reforms focused on developing a globally competitive workforce.
Speaking during an interview with newsmen over the weekend in Abuja, the Minister said the Federal Government is expanding access to quality education and skills development to equip young Nigerians for opportunities within Nigeria, across Africa and the global labour market.
He noted that enrolment into nursing programmes has increased significantly, while admissions into medicine, pharmacy and dentistry have also been expanded to address shortages in the health sector.
Dr. Alausa also described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a sustainable initiative designed to provide long-term financial support for students, stressing that the Tinubu administration is committed to reforms that will endure beyond its tenure.
On industrial relations, the Minister credited President Tinubu’s leadership for restoring stability across tertiary institutions through dialogue and trust. He cited the payment of 50 per cent of withheld salaries and a nearly 40 per cent salary increase for tertiary institution workers as key steps that have strengthened confidence between government and university unions.
According to the Minister, the renewed stability is already yielding results, with the number of Nigerian universities listed in the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings rising from 21 to 24.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to policies that strengthen human capital development and position education as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth and national development.
