NIGERIA | EDUCATION | MINISTER TUNDE ALAUSA | GOING FORWARD?

Tunde Alausa, Nigeria's Hon. Minister of Education

Reviving Nigeria’s Education System: Inside Minister Tunde Alausa’s Reform Agenda

In a revealing interview on Politics Today, Nigeria's Minister of Education, Dr. Tunde Alausa, laid out a sweeping vision for transforming the nation's education system. From digitization efforts to engagement with union leaders, his approach signals a determined shift in policy and perception. Here are the key points of that interview:

ASUU Welfare and Strike Prevention

• President Tinubu has directed that no further strikes should occur in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
• Alausa emphasized relationship-building with unions like ASUU, NASU, SSANU, and COEASU to foster trust and avoid industrial actions.
• He acknowledged salary delays due to migration from IPPIS to GIFMIS but assured that payments are now regular and improving.

Bridge Initiative – Diaspora Engagement

• The Bridge Initiative is a new digital platform connecting diaspora professionals with Nigerian universities and research institutions4.
• Diaspora experts can volunteer for teaching, mentoring, and curriculum development.
• The government will cover logistics (flights, accommodation, feeding), but no stipends will be paid.

Data-Driven Education Reform

• Alausa highlighted the use of technology and biometric data to track and reintegrate out-of-school children, with 1 million reportedly returned to classrooms.
• A live digital dashboard now monitors school performance, infrastructure, and student attendance in real time.

Let’s go further on this:

Reimagining Educational Governance

Dr. Alausa addressed the historically tense relationship between the government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Acknowledging past grievances, he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to stabilizing the university system through consistent dialogue, enhanced research funding, and improved staff welfare. Mediation efforts that began in 2023 have already produced joint committees, with talks still in progress.

Embracing Technology and Global Models

One of the most ambitious planks in Alausa’s strategy is the digitization of Nigerian classrooms. Smart boards, tablets, and ed-tech platforms like Inspire and Ignite are being deployed across select pilot schools. These tools aim to expand access and retool teacher training programs. The minister also revealed plans to collaborate with foreign institutions, such as the UK’s Loughborough University, under transnational education models.

Infrastructure and Rural Inclusion

With over 600 new school buildings and 300 renovations already underway, the government is visibly investing in infrastructure. Innovations include solar-powered science labs and disability-friendly facilities tailored for underserved rural areas. By 2025, efforts under the Rural School Renewal Initiative are expected to reach nearly every zone of the country.

Public Perception and Polarization

Perhaps the most controversial moment in Alausa’s interview came when he declared that Nigerians were “blind” to the reforms already underway, insisting that the education sector is “better, safer, and more prosperous” today. This comment sparked both praise and critique, with some lauding his confidence and others questioning the data.

Budget Constraints and Execution Doubts

Despite the government’s ambitious agenda, concerns remain. Nigeria’s current 7% allocation to education is well below UNESCO’s recommended benchmark. Critics worry that without increased funding and intergovernmental synergy, implementation could stall. Policy experts are also calling for a major curriculum overhaul to integrate critical thinking, creativity, and STEM education.

Grassroots Feedback and Future Outlook

Students and teachers have shown cautious optimism. While many appreciate the digitization efforts and infrastructure upgrades, calls persist for deeper reforms in school governance, mental health support, and standardized teacher certification.

Meanwhile, watchdogs have emphasized the importance of transparency, especially in areas like cash transfers and school inspection data. The government’s proposed National Policy on Anti-Bullying and agricultural education reform, backed by ₦30 billion, are set to further broaden the sector’s reach.

“He’s applying clinical precision to resuscitate Nigeria’s education system.”,  Leadership News columnist “Where many focus on optics, @DrTunjiAlausa delivers outcomes.”,  Adewumi Collins

Whether Alausa’s tenure will mark a pivotal turning point for Nigerian education remains to be seen. What’s clear is that he’s steering the conversation with urgency, strategy, and a belief that change is not just possible, it’s already happening.