Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has opposed calls for the removal of the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, describing him as a reform-minded minister whose removal would not address the challenges facing the education sector. Pantami stated this in a message dated September……
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has opposed calls for the removal of the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, describing him as a reform-minded minister whose removal would not address the challenges facing the education sector.
Pantami stated this in a message dated September 16, 2026, in response to agitations by some staff of the Federal Ministry of Education calling for Alausa’s removal. Recent reports have also documented ongoing labour-related concerns in the education sector, including disputes involving education unions.
Pantami, who said he had met Alausa only once briefly, stated that based on his assessment of the current administration’s cabinet, he considered the education minister “to be among the top three ministers in terms of vision, impact and execution.”
He said Alausa’s record could be assessed through the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), which he credited with restoring focus and transparency to the sector.
According to Pantami, one of the minister’s major reforms was the shift from a certificate-focused system towards skills development, particularly through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
He said Alausa had enrolled more than 150,000 trainees across over 1,600 centres, introduced biometric verification for transparency in funding and expanded training into areas including artificial intelligence, robotics, renewable energy and cybersecurity.
Pantami also highlighted the unveiling of the Digital Academy and said the reforms had earned Alausa recognition as TVET Champion of the Year.
He further listed digital reforms including the automation of result collection and transcript processes, the launch of the School Safety Portal in partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, improved textbook quality standards, the restoration of History as a core subject and the facilitation of Transnational Education partnerships.
The former minister also said Alausa had focused on teachers through initiatives including the National Teacher Summit, the Edurevamp professional development platform, the extension of the retirement age to 65 and plans to pay Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria licensing fees for public school teachers.
However, Pantami acknowledged the concerns raised by workers, saying he did not have details of their demands and was not speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Education.
“I do not have the details of the demands of the workers but the general statement made by the workers, and I do not speak for the Ministry,” he said.
He argued that some of the issues involving workers’ welfare, promotions and funding could require decisions beyond the minister’s direct authority.
“However, in my humble opinion, many of the issues being raised are beyond the powers of the Minister alone,” Pantami said.
He explained that such matters could involve inter-ministerial approvals, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and wider fiscal processes.
Pantami appealed for understanding towards the ministry’s workers, describing them as “patriotic Nigerians and the engine room of these reforms.”
“Their frustrations must be heard with empathy,” he said, while offering his “sincere apology to any worker who feels aggrieved or unheard.”
Pantami maintained that removing Alausa would not resolve the underlying challenges in the sector.
“Calling for the removal of a reform-minded Minister, who is among the best in the administration will not solve systemic challenges; it will only truncate the momentum that has been built,” he said.
He called for reconciliation and dialogue between the ministry’s leadership and staff unions.
“Resolution must be genuine reconciliation. I appeal for dialogue over discord, and for a roundtable between the leadership of the Ministry, through the Permanent Secretary and staff unions to address legitimate concerns amicably,” Pantami said.
“We need the Minister and we need the staff, working together for the good of Nigeria,” he added.
