Dr. Olatunji Alausa, Nigeria’s newly appointed Minister of Education, has unveiled a comprehensive agenda aimed at addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing the country’s education system.
As the 31st minister in the history of the nation’s education sector, Alausa faces immense pressure to surpass the legacy of his predecessors, many of whom struggled with inefficiency and budgetary constraints.
In a candid reflection on the state of Nigeria’s education system, Alausa acknowledged the weight of the country’s high number of out-of-school children—a situation that has persisted despite efforts by previous administrations. “We have the heavy burden of having the highest number of out-of-school children in the world; this is not good to sustain the country,” he remarked. The new minister emphasized that tackling this issue would be a top priority for his administration.
Alausa’s agenda includes innovative approaches to improving school enrollment, such as collaborating with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to provide conditional cash transfers to mothers to incentivize school attendance. These efforts will be bolstered by the introduction of performance benchmarks and monthly enrollment targets, ensuring sustained progress.
The minister also highlighted plans to revise Nigeria’s curriculum to meet the demands of the 21st century. The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) is working on a new curriculum that will place greater emphasis on civic education. “We will educate the children at the basic education level to the post-basic education level on patriotism and what it means in Nigeria,” Alausa explained.
In a bid to modernize the country’s educational focus, Alausa has committed to driving the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM) into the educational framework. Recognizing the critical shortage of healthcare professionals, Alausa stressed the need for a workforce equipped with STEMM skills. “We will work with universities, polytechnics, and monotechnics to boost STEMM education,” he said.
Alausa’s reform plans also extend to the vocational sector. By revitalizing Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs, the minister aims to align educational outputs with the needs of the labor market. He proposed increasing practical training to 80 percent of the curriculum, with the remaining 20 percent focused on theoretical learning.
Further solidifying his commitment to skills development, Alausa outlined plans to collaborate with the private sector to enhance technical training infrastructure and create more job opportunities for graduates. “We will introduce stipends for students pursuing technical training and certify trainers to ensure quality instruction,” he said.
In addition, the minister announced plans for new training programs in renewable energy and mechanized farming, ensuring that agricultural universities contribute to the country’s growing need for sustainable, modern farming techniques.
As Alausa embarks on his tenure, his bold initiatives reflect a renewed commitment to transforming Nigeria’s educational landscape, with an emphasis on inclusivity, innovation, and practical skills development to meet the challenges of the future.
