Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, has urged the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and other student leaders to mobilise 10 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, arguing that continuity is critical to sustaining ongoing reforms in the education sector.
Alausa made the call in Abuja when the leadership of NANS and other student associations paid him a familiarisation visit, stressing that Nigerian students had a direct stake in the 2027 general election because government policies being implemented today would shape their education, skills, employment prospects and future opportunities.
The minister in a statement said the Tinubu administration had demonstrated commitment to young Nigerians through interventions covering student financing, accommodation, technical and vocational education, entrepreneurship, infrastructure and access to tertiary education.
“the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as one of the administration’s major interventions, saying about N200 billion had been committed to the scheme, with more than 1.6 million students benefiting.
“recent directives by the President on additional funding sources would further strengthen NELFUND and ensure the sustainability of the programme, including the monthly upkeep allowance for beneficiaries,” the statement read
Alausa also highlighted the government’s investment in student accommodation, saying more than N200 billion had been committed to expanding facilities for students across tertiary institutions.
He said over N150 billion had also been invested in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) infrastructure as part of efforts to equip young Nigerians with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
The minister further said the Student Venture Capital Grant was enabling students with innovative ideas to establish businesses and create jobs, adding that the government was considering increasing the grant ceiling in the next phase of the initiative.
Beyond financing and skills development, Alausa said the Federal Government was addressing infrastructure and welfare challenges that affect students’ ability to learn and complete their programmes.
He disclosed that renewable energy projects were being expanded across federal tertiary institutions to provide more reliable electricity for laboratories, workshops, libraries and hostels.
He also said additional tricycles would be deployed to campuses to ease transportation challenges faced by students.
On academic stability, the minister said sustained engagement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was helping to maintain stability in the university system and advance President Tinubu’s commitment that a four-year programme should be completed within four years.
Earlier, Sunday Asefon, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, said the visit was intended to strengthen direct engagement between the Presidency, the Ministry of Education and the organised student community.
Asefon commended NANS and other student leaders for their advocacy on student welfare, saying their partnership with government was important for identifying challenges and developing practical solutions across tertiary institutions.
Babatunde Afeez Akinteye, NANS President, commended the President and the minister for interventions including NELFUND and TVET.
Akinteye said the student loan scheme had made a significant difference in the lives of beneficiaries, noting that the monthly upkeep allowance had become an important source of relief for students facing financial difficulties.
He urged the government to sustain the initiative while raising concerns over Federal Scholarship Awards, illegal admissions and accreditation challenges in some institutions.
The NANS president called for stronger regulatory action against institutions that admit students into programmes without the required approval or capacity, stressing that student leaders were ready to collaborate with the government to address the problems.
Responding, Alausa said the concerns raised by the students were receiving the attention of the Ministry.
He said the government was working to resolve funding challenges affecting the Federal Scholarship Awards, strengthen admission processes and undertake a comprehensive review of the accreditation system to prevent students from being admitted into unapproved programmes or being left stranded after years of study.
The minister said relevant agencies and stakeholders were being mobilised to implement corrective measures without unnecessary delay.
Alausa assured the students that the Ministry would maintain an open channel of engagement with their leadership and continue to respond to issues affecting their education and welfare.
He said the government remained focused on advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda in education, adding that sustaining reforms and investments would help young Nigerians acquire quality education, develop relevant skills, create jobs and contribute to national development.
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