By Kwin Israel, The Sight News
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has been named 2026 “Man of the Year” by the African Cultural Festival (ACF) and presented with the Key to the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in recognition of his contributions to education and human capital development.
Receiving the honours, the Minister called for deeper partnership between Nigeria and its diaspora to advance education reform, research, innovation and technology transfer.
Dr. Alausa was honoured at the grand finale of the ACF in Harrisburg, held under the theme “The Great Reunion: Culture, Education, and Collaboration.” He described the recognition as a reflection of collective efforts to transform Nigeria’s education sector, dedicating it to President Bola Tinubu, education-sector officials and stakeholders, and above all, Nigerian children and young people whose aspirations remain central to the reform agenda.
The Minister outlined that Nigeria’s education transformation spans the entire value chain from basic and secondary education to technical, vocational and tertiary levels. He pointed to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, expanded technical and vocational training, curriculum modernisation, medical education reform, teacher development, and investment in laboratories, simulation centres and hostels as central to improving access, quality and employability across the system.
Beyond domestic reforms, he stressed the need to mobilise the expertise, networks and resources of Nigerians abroad. He urged diaspora professionals, academics and institutions to join the BRIDGE — Bridging Research, Innovation, Development and Global Expertise — programme, through which they can mentor students, contribute to research, deliver lectures, support curriculum development and facilitate technology transfer to Nigeria.
He noted that meaningful contribution does not require relocation, as both physical and virtual engagement embody the festival’s “Great Reunion” spirit.
On the sidelines of the event, the Minister met with the DuduPlugs team. Leila Steinberg, who has worked for over 35 years on youth development, creativity and emotional literacy, thanked Dr. Alausa for the engagement, noting DuduPlugs’ mission to help young Africans build on their talents, culture and intellectual property while strengthening ties with the global community. DuduPlugs CEO, Wole Adeniyi, called the meeting a milestone for cultural diplomacy, adding that the organisation would develop a legacy programme on technology transfer, innovation and robotics, in collaboration with Blake Walker, Femi Ojetunde, Dana Sims and Jody David Armour.
The Minister also acknowledged the institutions and individuals who supported the festival, including the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Speaker Hon. Joanna McClinton, the City of Harrisburg and Mayor Hon.
Wanda Williams, the African Cultural Festival Team led by Wole Adeniyi, Goke Adeniyi, Leila Steinberg, Blake Walker, Femi Ojetunde, Dana Sims, Phyllis Bennett, Kelly Summerford, Hon. Carol Kazeem of Delaware, and Hon. Segun Adeyina of Georgia.
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Education’s commitment to reforms that expand access, strengthen skills and prepare Nigerian youth to compete globally, while pledging to keep building bridges between Nigeria and its diaspora in education, research and innovation.
