The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has identified education as a key driver of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ambition to grow Nigeria into a one trillion-dollar economy by 2030, with reforms aimed at producing a workforce capable of competing globally.

Speaking with journalists over the weekend in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the administration is prioritising wider access to quality education alongside expanded skills development programmes to prepare young Nigerians for employment opportunities within the country, across Africa and in the international labour market.

As part of efforts to strengthen the nation’s health workforce, the minister disclosed that admissions into nursing programmes have risen significantly. He added that enrolment capacity for medicine, pharmacy and dentistry has also been expanded to address shortages of healthcare professionals.

Dr. Alausa also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), describing it as a long-term financing mechanism that will provide sustainable financial assistance for students. He said the Tinubu administration is implementing reforms designed to remain effective well beyond the life of the current government.

On labour relations within the education sector, the minister attributed the improved industrial climate in tertiary institutions to President Tinubu’s approach of dialogue and trust-building. He noted that the payment of 50 per cent of withheld salaries, together with a nearly 40 per cent salary increase for workers in tertiary institutions, has helped rebuild confidence between the Federal Government and university unions.

According to Dr. Alausa, the improved stability is already reflected in global academic recognition, with the number of Nigerian universities featured in the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings increasing from 21 to 24.

The minister reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Education’s commitment to policies that promote human capital development, stressing that education remains central to sustainable economic growth and Nigeria’s long-term national development agenda.

Source: The Sight News