November 9, 2026

Minister of Education

FG cancels NTI’s 2026 NCE, degree admissions over regulatory breaches Cleared EFCC recoveries, unclaimed dividends and dormant funds will strengthen NELFUND, says Alausa

FG cancels NTI’s 2026 NCE, degree admissions over regulatory breaches

By JOHN ONAH, Abuja November 7, 2026
Federal Government has cancelled all admissions into the National Certificate in Education (NCE) and degree programmes of the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna, for the 2026 academic session over alleged regulatory breaches involving admissions, accreditation and university affiliations. The Federal Ministry of Education, in a statement issued on Saturday,...
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National Library project: Alausa appluads Tinubu, wife, warns contractors against delay, promises prompt payment Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa

National Library project: Alausa appluads Tinubu, wife, warns contractors against delay, promises prompt payment

By JOHN ONAH, Abuja November 5, 2026
Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for their commitment to the completion of the National Library of Nigeria project, assuring Nigerians that the Federal Government will ensure prompt payment to contractors to prevent delays in...
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FG equips 38 technical colleges, offers free training, stipends to youths FG equips 38 technical colleges, offers free training, stipends to youths

FG equips 38 technical colleges, offers free training, stipends to youths

By JOHN ONAH, Abuja November 4, 2026
Federal Government has equipped 38 federal and state technical colleges across the country to expand access to free technical and vocational education, as part of efforts to tackle youth unemployment and poverty. Under the initiative, beneficiaries receive free tuition, training materials, monthly stipends and starter packs to enable them...
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40 tertiary institutions to get up to ₦2bn each under Tinubu’s renewed hope agric programme 40 tertiary institutions to get up to ₦2bn each under Tinubu's renewed hope agric programme

40 tertiary institutions to get up to ₦2bn each under Tinubu’s renewed hope agric programme

By JOHN ONAH, Abuja November 4, 2026
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on food security, with 40 tertiary institutions set to benefit from the Renewed Hope Tertiary Agricultural and Entrepreneurship Programme, designed to transform underutilised institutional farmlands into productive...
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Alausa: Tinubu will win 2027 presidential election on performance, cites student loans, TVET expansion, others Alausa: Tinubu will win 2027 presidential election on performance, cites student loans, TVET expansion, others

Alausa: Tinubu will win 2027 presidential election on performance, cites student loans, TVET expansion, others

By JOHN ONAH, Abuja October 28, 2026
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has expressed confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, declaring that his administration’s reform agenda and investments in education and human capital will remain central to public assessment ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Alausa stated this in Abuja during a...
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Nigeria shifts focus from certificates to Skills as FG unveils workforce revolution Nigeria shifts focus from certificates to Skills as FG unveils workforce revolution

Nigeria shifts focus from certificates to Skills as FG unveils workforce revolution

By JOHN ONAH, Abuja October 27, 2026
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building a skilled, productive and innovative Nigerian workforce through market relevant education, expanded technical and vocational training, curriculum modernisation and stronger collaboration with industry. The Minister stated this during a panel session titled “Building...
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Alausa highlights over ₦250b investment in medical education, calls for stronger public-private and diaspora partnerships Alausa highlights over ₦250b investment in medical education, calls for stronger public-private and diaspora partnerships

Alausa highlights over ₦250b investment in medical education, calls for stronger public-private and diaspora partnerships

By JOHN ONAH, Abuja October 24, 2026
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to human capital development under the Renewed Hope Agenda, describing the launch of the Redeemer’s Health Village (RHV) RoboMed Robotics Academy as a significant step towards preparing Nigerian medical professionals for the future of healthcare....
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Alausa reaffirms FG’s commitment to TVET as about 250,000 Nigerians undergo skills training nationwide Alausa reaffirms FG’s commitment to TVET as about 250,000 Nigerians undergo skills training nationwide Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), disclosing that nearly 250,000 Nigerians are undergoing skills training across more than 1,200 accredited training centres nationwide. Dr Alausa made this known during an engagement with the House of Representatives Committee on Polytechnic and Higher Technical Education, chaired by Hon. Fuad Kayode Laguda, where he presented updates on the programme’s implementation, achievements, funding, enrolment and accountability mechanisms. The minister disclosed that the latest TVET application portal recorded nearly 1.4 million applications within two weeks, surpassing the 1.3 million applications received during the first cohort within ten days. He said the figures reflected growing public interest in technical and vocational education as a pathway to employment, entrepreneurship and economic advancement. Alausa commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support for the education sector, noting that the administration had renewed national attention to technical and vocational education as a strategic investment in human capital development and economic growth. He explained that the Federal Government was rebuilding the TVET ecosystem to equip young Nigerians with practical, industry-relevant skills that would enable them to secure employment, establish businesses and compete in an increasingly skills-driven global economy. Addressing concerns about access to training opportunities, the Minister said the admission process was designed to be transparent, accessible and merit-based, with eligible applicants applying through a centralised online portal. Applicants provide relevant information, including their National Identification Number (NIN) and biometric details, to support verification. He added that the allocation of available training opportunities took account of geographical representation across states and local government areas, given the programme’s limited capacity relative to the number of applicants. On funding, Dr Alausa stated that each trainee receives a monthly stipend of ₦30,000, while accredited training centres receive ₦50,000 per student monthly to support training delivery. He explained that biometric attendance verification had been introduced to strengthen accountability and ensure that public funds were tied to actual participation. According to him, initial payment delays arose from the implementation of the system, as the Ministry prioritised verifiable attendance records over manual documentation. He confirmed that the issue had been resolved and payments to trainees and training centres were up to date as of September. The Minister further stated that the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) was responsible for verifying the capacity of centres seeking accreditation. He said only centres that met the prescribed requirements were approved, adding that the process was intended to safeguard training standards, ensure quality delivery and expand access through capable private-sector providers. Dr Alausa said the programme was designed to translate skills acquisition into tangible economic opportunities, with beneficiaries expected to receive starter packs and relevant equipment upon completing their training. He cited tailoring and electrical installation as examples of trades in which graduates would receive the tools needed to begin providing services within their communities. The initiative, he explained, would help beneficiaries apply their skills, establish businesses, earn a livelihood and contribute to local economic development. Beyond conventional vocational trades, the Minister disclosed that the Federal Government was supporting a Digital Technology Academy currently training 36,000 Nigerians in areas including software development, cybersecurity, natural language processing, information technology automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning and quantum computing. He said participants had access to international learning platforms and professional certification opportunities associated with Coursera, Google and IBM. The initiative, according to him, was intended to equip young Nigerians with globally relevant digital competencies, enabling them to access opportunities in the digital economy and provide services to clients in Nigeria and abroad. The Minister added that the Ministry was supporting improvements in training infrastructure, instructor capacity and modern equipment, while introducing a TVET job portal to connect graduates with prospective employers and strengthen the link between skills training and employment. He also stated that education in federal technical colleges, as well as in one designated state technical college in each state, was free, with the Federal Government bearing the associated training costs. He said the policy was intended to reduce financial barriers and widen access to technical and vocational education. Providing details of the programme’s geographical reach, Dr Alausa cited enrolment figures from several states. In Bauchi State, 4,888 trainees were enrolled across 50 accredited centres, including 520 in Katagum. Akwa Ibom State had 5,885 trainees across 57 accredited centres, while Kogi State had 5,144 trainees across 42 centres. In Katsina State, approximately 1,800 trainees were undergoing training in eight newly established technical centres adopted into the programme. The Minister in a statement bybhis media aide, Ikharo Attah, further highlighted ongoing efforts to rehabilitate and develop technical education infrastructure, including facilities in the Federal Capital Territory, and strengthen the capacity of instructors through specialised training. He disclosed that some lecturers were participating in a train-the-trainer programme in Lagos with experts from the Singapore Institute of Technical Education, an initiative aimed at improving instructional capacity and the quality of technical training. Dr Alausa acknowledged the need for more regular engagement with members of the National Assembly, noting that sustained communication would enable lawmakers to better understand the programme’s implementation and communicate its benefits to their constituents. He assured the Committee that the Ministry would provide detailed statistics on enrolment, accredited training centres and ongoing training across states and local government areas. He also encouraged lawmakers to visit accredited centres in their constituencies to assess implementation and engage directly with trainees and training providers. The Minister emphasised that the TVET programme was intended to serve as a sustainable human capital development strategy rather than a temporary social intervention, equipping beneficiaries with practical skills and resources to pursue employment and entrepreneurship. In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on Polytechnic and Higher Technical Education, Hon. Fuad Kayode Laguda, described the engagement as fruitful and purposeful, noting that it provided an opportunity for constructive discussions on developments in the education sector and progress in technical and vocational education. Hon. Laguda reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, deepening legislative understanding of the programme and sustaining effective oversight to improve performance in the sector. He expressed optimism that continued engagement and cooperation would enable the Committee to make meaningful progress within the remaining period of the 10th National Assembly. Dr Alausa called on lawmakers to support the programme by raising public awareness, engaging their constituents and visiting accredited training centres to monitor implementation. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding access to quality technical and vocational education, strengthening accountability and equipping Nigerian youths with practical, industry-relevant and globally competitive skills to support employment, entrepreneurship and national development.

Alausa reaffirms FG’s commitment to TVET as about 250,000 Nigerians undergo skills training nationwide

By JOHN ONAH, Abuja October 21, 2026
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), disclosing that nearly 250,000 Nigerians are undergoing skills training across more than 1,200 accredited training centres nationwide. Dr Alausa made this known during an engagement with the House...
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Alausa unveils 39 agricultural curricular , 31 occupational standards to boost food security youth employment Alausa unveils 39 agricultural curricular , 31 occupational standards to boost food security youth employment

Alausa unveils 39 agricultural curricular , 31 occupational standards to boost food security youth employment

Offor Callistus October 19, 2026
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has unveiled 39 reviewed and newly developed agricultural curricula and 31 National Occupational Standards (NOS), alongside an 80:20 practical-to-theoretical training reform, to strengthen food security, expand youth employment and accelerate agricultural productivity under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Speaking...
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Alausa commends Aliko Dangote foundation ‘s plan to empower 4m students with IPO shares Dangote unveils Refinery IPO, says ‘drivers, cooks, everybody’ can own shares

Alausa commends Aliko Dangote foundation ‘s plan to empower 4m students with IPO shares

By JOHN ONAH, Abuja October 19, 2026
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has commended Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the Aliko Dangote Foundation for planning to acquire Initial Public Offering (IPO) shares of Dangote Refinery on behalf of eligible Nigerian tertiary institution students, describing the initiative as an innovative approach to promoting financial literacy,...
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Alausa reaffirms FG’s commitment to establish autism centres across 6 geopolitical zones, tasks VC on high-demand programmes Minister of Education Tunji Alausa

Alausa reaffirms FG’s commitment to establish autism centres across 6 geopolitical zones, tasks VC on high-demand programmes

By JOHN ONAH, Abuja October 18, 2026
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has called on Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian universities to prioritise degree programmes that address critical manpower shortages, respond to emerging societal needs and equip graduates with specialised skills for professional practice and employment. The Minister emphasised the need for universities to establish...
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Alausa advances Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as Birmingham, UNILAG launch world-class joint degrees Alausa advances Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as Birmingham, UNILAG launch world-class joint degrees

Alausa advances Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as Birmingham, UNILAG launch world-class joint degrees

By JOHN ONAH, Abuja October 17, 2026
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has advanced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda with the launch of two joint postgraduate programmes by the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, and the University of Lagos (UNILAG), bringing world-class international education closer to Nigerian students. The landmark partnership...
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Tertiary education: FG proposes 80% practical, 20% theory Cleared EFCC recoveries, unclaimed dividends and dormant funds will strengthen NELFUND, says Alausa

Tertiary education: FG proposes 80% practical, 20% theory

By JOHN ONAH, Abuja October 15, 2026
Federal Government is planning to introduce an 80 per cent practical and 20 per cent theoretical curriculum in tertiary institutions to equip students with relevant skills and improve their employability. The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, represented by the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, disclosed this at...
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FG unveils 2026 agreements with tertiary institutions’ staff unions, pledges timely implementation Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa

FG unveils 2026 agreements with tertiary institutions’ staff unions, pledges timely implementation

By JOHN ONAH, Abuja October 13, 2026
Federal Government has unveiled the 2026 agreements with staff unions in tertiary institutions, reaffirming its commitment to improved staff welfare, industrial harmony and uninterrupted academic calendars across the country. Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, announced this at the unveiling of the 2026 Federal Government Staff Unions Agreements for...
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Tinubu places Nigerian child at heart of national development – Minister Tinubu places Nigerian child at heart of national development – Minister

Tinubu places Nigerian child at heart of national development – Minister

By JOHN ONAH, Abuja October 12, 2026
Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa,  has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to placing the Nigerian child at the centre of national development, stressing that investing in the education, welfare and empowerment of girls is critical to building a prosperous nation. Dr Alausa stated this at the national...
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Alausa calls for school feeding, health education to fight child malnutrition across Nigeria Alausa calls for school feeding, health education to fight child malnutrition across Nigeria

Alausa calls for school feeding, health education to fight child malnutrition across Nigeria

By JOHN ONAH, Abuja October 8, 2026
Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, has called for a stronger role for the education sector in tackling child malnutrition, identifying school feeding, school health, nutrition education and improved access to quality education as key interventions under the Nutrition 774 Initiative. Dr. Alausa made the call at the Ethiopia–Nigeria...
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World Teachers’ Day: Teachers’ reward shouldn’t wait for heaven, Nigeria must pay them better By JOHN ONAH World Teachers' Day: Teachers' reward shouldn't wait for heaven, Nigeria must pay them better

World Teachers’ Day: Teachers’ reward shouldn’t wait for heaven, Nigeria must pay them better By JOHN ONAH

By JOHN ONAH, Abuja October 6, 2026
For generations, Nigerians have repeated the familiar saying: “A teacher’s reward is in heaven.” It is a phrase intended to celebrate the selflessness, patience and sacrifice of those who dedicate their lives to educating others. But in today’s Nigeria, the saying raises an uncomfortable question: Must a teacher’s reward...
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Suwaiba urges educators to embrace ICT skills as Nigeria strengthens safe, inclusive, technology-driven learning Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad

Suwaiba urges educators to embrace ICT skills as Nigeria strengthens safe, inclusive, technology-driven learning

By JOHN ONAH, Abuja October 5, 2026
The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, has urged teachers to develop digital competence to effectively equip students with the knowledge and skills required in today’s technology-driven world. Ahmad made the call on Monday at the National Trainers’ Workshop on Safe Learning Environment, Gender-Responsive Technology and ICT...
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FG moves to fast-track Mary-Brenda Akoda’s AI MRI breakthrough into Nigerian hospitals FG moves to fast-track Mary-Brenda Akoda’s AI MRI breakthrough into Nigerian hospitals

FG moves to fast-track Mary-Brenda Akoda’s AI MRI breakthrough into Nigerian hospitals

By OFFOR CALLISTUS, Abuja October 5, 2026
Federal Government has moved to fast-track the deployment of Mary-Brenda Akoda’s Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology into Nigerian hospitals, following the recognition of her innovation as the winner of the $100,000 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation (NPSI) sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG). The...
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