The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has urged the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and other student leaders to mobilise 10 million student votes for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. Alausa made the call in Abuja when the leadership of NANS and other student associations paid……
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has urged the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and other student leaders to mobilise 10 million student votes for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Alausa made the call in Abuja when the leadership of NANS and other student associations paid him a familiarisation visit, according to a statement by the Special Adviser (Media and Communications), Ikharo Attah, on Thursday.
He said Nigerian students have a direct stake in the 2027 election, arguing that the continuation of the Tinubu administration’s education reforms was critical to sustaining gains in student financing, skills development, infrastructure and access to tertiary education.
The minister said Tinubu had demonstrated commitment to young Nigerians through policies addressing both immediate challenges and longstanding gaps in the education sector.
According to him, the administration’s interventions extend beyond classroom infrastructure to include student financing, accommodation, technical and vocational education, entrepreneurship, campus facilities and measures aimed at protecting the academic calendar.
Alausa identified the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as one of the administration’s major interventions, disclosing that about N200 billion had been committed to the scheme, with more than 1.6 million students benefiting.
He said recent directives by the President on additional funding sources would strengthen NELFUND, assuring students that the monthly upkeep allowance would continue.
The minister also disclosed that more than N200 billion had been committed to student accommodation, while over N150 billion had been invested in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) infrastructure.
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He said the Student Venture Capital Grant was helping students transform innovative ideas into businesses and become job creators, adding that the government was considering increasing the grant ceiling in its next phase.
Alausa further said the Federal Government was expanding renewable energy projects across federal tertiary institutions to provide reliable electricity for laboratories, workshops, libraries and hostels.
“Alausa identified the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as one of the administration’s landmark interventions, saying about N200 billion had been committed to the scheme, with more than 1.6 million students benefiting. He said the President’s recent directives on additional funding sources would further strengthen the sustainability of NELFUND, assuring students that the monthly upkeep allowance would continue,” part of the statement read.
The minister also said the government’s sustained engagement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was contributing to academic stability and supporting the President’s commitment that a four-year programme should take four years.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Comrade Sunday Asefon, said the visit was aimed at strengthening engagement between the Presidency, Ministry of Education and the organised student community.
Asefon commended student leaders for their advocacy on student welfare, saying their partnership with government was important in identifying challenges and developing practical solutions.
The NANS President, Comrade Babatunde Afeez Akinteye, also commended Tinubu and Alausa for interventions including NELFUND and TVET.
Akinteye said the student loan scheme had significantly improved the lives of beneficiaries, particularly through the monthly upkeep allowance, which he described as an important source of relief for students facing financial difficulties.
He, however, raised concerns over Federal Scholarship Awards, illegal admissions and accreditation challenges affecting students in some institutions.
The NANS president called for stronger regulatory action against institutions admitting students into programmes without the required approval or capacity.
Responding, Alausa assured the students that the concerns raised were receiving the Ministry’s attention.
He said the government was working to address funding challenges affecting the Federal Scholarship Awards, strengthen admission processes and conduct a comprehensive review of the accreditation system.
According to him, the measures are aimed at preventing students from being admitted into unapproved programmes or being left stranded after years of study.
Alausa assured the student community that the Ministry would maintain an open channel of engagement with its leadership and continue to address issues affecting their education and welfare.
He said the government would remain committed to advancing Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in education through reforms, investment and opportunities designed to equip young Nigerians with quality education and relevant skills.
