By Ngozi Nwankwo
Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has said student loans, expansion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, TVET, and skills development remain central gains of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Alausa stated this in Abuja during a visit to the City Boy Movement office, where he said the administration’s investments in education and human capital would remain key to public assessment ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He commended Seyi Tinubu and members of the movement for their grassroots mobilisation across age groups, ethnic backgrounds and social classes, describing their outreach as collective commitment and volunteerism.
According to the Minister, President Tinubu’s leadership is anchored in long-term vision that prioritises future generations even when it requires difficult decisions.
“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,” he said.
Alausa said education is a central pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda, citing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, as a major intervention to remove financial barriers to higher education.
He said students should not be denied opportunity to pursue academic ambitions because their families lack financial means, noting that the loan scheme reflects the President’s commitment to widening access.
On skills development, the Minister disclosed that more than 250,000 Nigerians are currently benefiting from TVET programmes across about 1,200 training centres nationwide.
He said the programmes cover practical competencies in solar photovoltaic installation, fashion and garment production, carpentry, construction-related trades, animal husbandry and other technical fields, aimed at bridging the gap between education and employment.
“The initiative is a deliberate effort to prepare young people for opportunities in industry, entrepreneurship and other productive sectors,” he said, stressing that education must go beyond certificates to provide practical knowledge needed to thrive.
Alausa said government is also addressing infrastructure and accommodation challenges in tertiary institutions and expanding nursing education and professional training to strengthen critical sectors.
He attributed the reform direction to President Tinubu’s resolve to address structural challenges and create fiscal space for investment in education, healthcare and infrastructure, adding that emerging opportunities in business-process outsourcing and the service economy would benefit from a better-skilled workforce.
He urged members of the City Boy Movement to sustain grassroots engagement, encourage informed public discussion and help Nigerians understand Federal Government policies, while cautioning against misinformation and divisive rhetoric.
Alausa maintained that consistent implementation and sustained investment in education and skills remain essential to national prosperity and to building opportunities for present and future generations.
