NELFUND, TVET Gains Will Boost Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election Bid, Says Alausa

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s re-election prospects, citing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and expanded technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes as key achievements of his administration.

Alausa said investments in education, skills acquisition and human capital development would feature prominently in public assessment of the President’s performance ahead of the 2027 election.

The minister spoke in Abuja during a visit to the City Boy Movement’s office, where he commended Seyi Tinubu and members of the group for their grassroots mobilisation and engagement with Nigerians.

He described the movement’s outreach as an opportunity to connect with citizens across age groups, ethnic backgrounds and social classes.

Alausa urged members to sustain their community engagement and communicate the administration’s policies and programmes to the public.

“President Tinubu makes promises he intends to fulfil. His decisions are not just about today; they are about the future of our children and grandchildren,” the minister said.

He identified education as a major pillar of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, highlighting initiatives designed to expand access to tertiary education and equip young Nigerians with practical skills.

Alausa described NELFUND as a major intervention to reduce financial barriers to higher education. He said students should not lose opportunities to pursue their academic ambitions because their families could not afford the cost.

He added that the student loan scheme reflected the government’s commitment to widening access to higher education and improving opportunities for young Nigerians.

The minister also highlighted the expansion of TVET programmes, saying more than 250,000 Nigerians were benefiting from skills development initiatives at about 1,200 training centres nationwide.

According to him, the programmes provide practical training in solar photovoltaic installation, garment production, carpentry, construction-related trades and animal husbandry.

Alausa said the training initiatives were designed to bridge the gap between education and employment by preparing participants for jobs, entrepreneurship and other productive activities.

He stressed that education should go beyond academic certificates to equip learners with practical competencies that meet the changing demands of industry and the wider economy.

The minister also cited efforts to address accommodation shortages in tertiary institutions and expand nursing education and professional training.

He said sustained investment in educational infrastructure and professional development remained important to improving learning conditions and strengthening Nigeria’s workforce.

Alausa attributed the administration’s reform programme to Tinubu’s determination to tackle longstanding structural challenges and create more resources for investment in essential public services.

He urged Nigerians to consider the long-term objectives of the reforms, particularly their implications for education, healthcare, infrastructure and other areas of public service.

The minister also pointed to opportunities in business-process outsourcing and the wider service economy, expressing optimism that a better-skilled workforce could attract international businesses and create employment for young people.

He called on members of the City Boy Movement to sustain grassroots engagement and encourage informed discussions about government policies.

Alausa also cautioned against misinformation and divisive rhetoric, urging Nigerians to prioritise national interest in discussions about the country’s future.

He maintained that the administration’s record in education, student financing and vocational training would form part of the public debate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.