10 key takeaways from Education Minister’s inaugural press briefing

The newly appointed Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, recently held a highly anticipated ministerial press conference where he addressed the media and educational stakeholders.

The event was particularly significant given the controversy surrounding the previous Education Minister, Prof. Tahir Mamman’s announcement of an 18-year-old minimum age requirement for tertiary institution admissions.

President Bola Tinubu’s decision to relieve five ministers of their appointments had generated considerable buzz, with the education ministry being the most talked about due to the contentious age limit policy.

The maiden press conference allowed Dr. Alausa, formerly the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, to unveil his blueprint to Nigerians and the international community. He was flanked at the briefing by the new Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad as well as the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo.

With journalists, Directors in the Ministry and heads of educational institutions under the ministry, seated with rapt attention, Dr Alausa wasted no time in asking reporters to ‘fire’ any question of their choice.

Below are the 10 key takeaways from the briefing:

1. REVERSAL OF AGE LIMIT POLICY:

The biggest news of the day was the Minister’s reversal of the 18-year minimum age requirement for admission seekers in tertiary institutions. In announcing 16 years as the eligible age for tertiary education admission, he attributed the initial decision on the manner the National Policy on Education was designed.

“So we will not be going forward with the 18 years. We will go back to what we had before: 16 years. We will work with JAMB, our universities to ensure that people that are matriculating into our universities will be allowed at 16 years. There will be exceptions for gifted children. But the 18 years for going into the university is not part of our education policy again”.

Alausa’s announcement drew a thunderous applause from stakeholders at the hall including Directors and heads of educational agencies under the ministry.

2. UPHOLDS VOIDING OF 22,700 FAKE VARSITY DEGREES FROM TOGO, BENIN

The Minister sustained the decision of his predecessor, stressing that there would be no reversal of the Federal Government’s decision to void over 22,700 degree certificates obtained by Nigerians in some ‘fake’ universities in neighbouring Togo and Benin Republic.

“Let me just be clear with you; there will not be reversal of that policy. The former Minister of Education worked through the ministry of education’s process. He did a diligent work in verification and there was a lot of forensic evidence. They went to some of these universities and identified the ones that are up to standard. We can’t create a situation where people will cut corners”, he stated.

3. OUT-OF-SCHOOL CHILDREN:

Describing the out-of-school children menace as the ‘biggest elephant in the room’ and his top priority, he said the Ministry has crafted a comprehensive agenda and work plan focused on strategic initiatives to boost school enrollment.

“We have the heavy burden of having the highest number of out-of-school children in the world; this is not good for the sustainability of the country,” he said.

4. CONDITIONAL CASH TRANSFER TO INCENTIVIZE LEARNING

He announced that the ministry will collaborate with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to provide conditional cash transfers as incentives to boost school enrollment.

He said: “We will work with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and give conditional cash transfers to mothers to send their kids to school.

“We need to adequately nourish the children for better brain development to help develop our human capital and human capacity”.

5. VOWS TO REVERSE UNLAWFUL V-C APPOINTMENT AT UNIZIK

On the controversy surrounding the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor by the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, the Minister warned councils to follow laid down rules in appointing principal officers, even as he vowed to reverse unlawful appointments.

“No Council is bigger than every one of us. What is happening in Nnamdi Azikiwe University will be reversed based on our law. No council chairman is above the law. And we will not allow that to happen. Universities are centres where we expect freedom. University Councils are meant to work closely with the Senate of the university and the National Universities Commission. No chairman of any council will make his rule. Any abnormally that is observed will be reversed, the rule of the country is bigger than anybody,” he cautioned.

6. INCESSANT STRIKES IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

One issue that has bedevilled the tertiary education sub-sector is the incessant strikes by various unions.

The Guardian reports that in the last quarter of a century, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has cumulatively gone on strike for over 50 months (almost five years), with the persistent actions leaving in their wake a trail of destruction, including disruption of academic calendar, brain drain, reduced education quality, delayed graduation and increased burden on students and parents.

On frequent strikes in tertiary institutions, Alausa assured unions of a ‘new beginning’, pledging a supportive environment to prevent prolonged school closures due to labour actions. He urged the unions to give the government a chance to meet its commitments under President Bola Tinubu.

“This is a new beginning for ASUU, NASU, SSANU, ASUP, COEASU, and others,” he said.

7. SHIFT TO 80% PRACTICAL EDUCATION

Stakeholders in the education sector have raised the alarm about the system’s overemphasis on theoretical learning, which comes at the expense of practical education. According to them, this imbalance hinders the country’s ability to produce well-rounded, job-ready graduates.

The current system, they pointed out, prioritises book-based knowledge, leaving students with inadequate hands-on experience and skills training, stressing that this not only limits their employability but also stifles innovation and entrepreneurship.

Addressing these concerns, Dr Alausa announced that the country’s education system will shift to an 80 per cent practical and 20 per cent theoretical model. He said this will help to tackle the unemployment situation in Nigeria, as tertiary institutions will not continue to churn out graduates every year without providing jobs for them.

8. VARSITIES OF AGRICULTURE TO DRIVE FOOD SECURITY WITH MECHANISED FARMING

As part of broader efforts to improve food security and promote sustainable agriculture in the country, the Minister noted that universities of agriculture will be supported to implement mechanised farming to improve food security.

“We will focus on technical and vocational education (TVET), using federal technical colleges and national entrepreneurship institutions to create practical opportunities for students.

“All specialised universities will be required to have mechanised farms, and we will provide financial incentives to support this,” he stated.

9. FOCUS ON STEMM EDUCATION

The Minister unveiled plans to revamp the education system to better align with today’s needs, with a sharp focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM). This strategic shift aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge required to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world.

He said by prioritising STEMM education, the government seeks to address the current imbalance between theoretical and practical learning, ultimately boosting employability and driving innovation

“Today we have been dealing with a lack of manpower to service our hospital, to provide care for our people. We will focus and redirect our effort on STEMM. We will work with the universities, polytechnics, and mono-technics to do that. From now on, we will drive the agenda focusing heavily on STEMM,” he said.

10. SEEKS NIGERIANS’ UNDERSTANDING OVER HARDSHIP

He urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and keep faith with the government, insisting that President Tinubu’s policies aimed at transforming the nation are already bearing fruits and delivering results. He said the present administration inherited ‘a lot of issues’ from previous governments.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also mandated us ministers that whatever decisions we make in terms of policies, execution and implementation, it has to be sustainable. He does not want palliative policies and implementation. I know Nigerians that things are hard but please, bear with this president. We are beginning to see the fruits of these difficult decisions that our president has taken. Our microeconomic indicators are better, we are more respected internationally as the president is refocusing our country into the future where we will have the biggest economy in Africa and one of the biggest economies in the world”.