Alausa Honoured as ACF 2026 Man of the Year, Gets Harrisburg City Key

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has been honoured as the 2026 Man of the Year by the African Cultural Festival (ACF) in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

He also received the Key to the City of Harrisburg in recognition of his contribution to education and human capital development.

The honours came at the grand finale of the African Cultural Festival, held under the theme, “The Great Reunion: Culture, Education, and Collaboration.”

A statement signed on Friday by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, said the recognition provided an opportunity for Alausa to seek stronger partnerships with Nigerians in the diaspora.

The minister said such partnerships could support education reform, research, innovation, technology transfer and human capital development in Nigeria.

Alausa dedicated the award to President Bola Tinubu, education officials and stakeholders, as well as Nigerian children and young people.

He described them as the focus of the Federal Government’s ongoing education reforms.

According to him, the education transformation agenda covers the entire sector, from basic and secondary education to technical, vocational and tertiary education.

He listed the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, expansion of technical and vocational training and curriculum modernisation among the initiatives supporting the reform agenda.

The minister also cited medical education, teacher development and investment in laboratories, simulation centres, hostels and other infrastructure as part of efforts to improve the education system.

He said the government seeks to expand access while improving quality, relevance and employability across the sector.

Beyond reforms at home, Alausa urged Nigerians living abroad to contribute their expertise, networks and resources to the development of the country’s education system.

He specifically called on diaspora professionals, academics, researchers and institutions to participate in the BRIDGE programme, which stands for Bridging Research, Innovation, Development and Global Expertise.

The minister said the programme provides opportunities for Nigerians abroad to mentor students and young academics, contribute to research and deliver specialised lectures.

They can also support curriculum development, establish institutional partnerships and facilitate the transfer of emerging technologies and global best practices to Nigeria, he said.

Alausa noted that Nigerians in the diaspora did not need to return permanently to contribute to national development.

He said they could make meaningful contributions through physical and virtual engagements.

According to him, such collaboration reflects the spirit of the festival’s “Great Reunion” theme by connecting Africa and its global community through education, culture, innovation and purposeful partnerships.

The minister’s engagement also included the DuduPlugs team, which presented its plans for supporting young Africans and connecting Nigerian talent with global opportunities.

Leila Steinberg, who spoke during the engagement, thanked Alausa for meeting with the team and listening to its vision.

She said DuduPlugs seeks to help young Africans develop their talents, culture, ideas and intellectual property while strengthening links between Nigerian talent and the global community.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Wole Adeniyi, also thanked the minister for attending the festival, describing the engagement as an opportunity to strengthen cultural and educational ties between Nigeria and the United States.

Adeniyi said DuduPlugs would build on the engagement by developing a legacy programme focused on technology transfer, modern innovation and robotics for Nigerians.

The initiative, he said, would involve collaboration with other partners to explore sustainable opportunities within the education sector.

The minister also acknowledged the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, the City of Harrisburg and other individuals and organisations whose support contributed to the festival.

He reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Education’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities, improving skills and preparing Nigerian youths for a changing global economy.

Alausa added that the ministry would continue to create opportunities for Nigerians at home and abroad to contribute to the country’s development.