The Federal Government has reaffirmed that education remains a cornerstone of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, underscoring sustained efforts to stabilise the sector and expand access to learning opportunities.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, stated this on Friday at the State House, Abuja, when the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) paid him a courtesy visit.

Gbajabiamila said the Tinubu administration regards education as one of its strongest policy pillars, stressing that the government is committed to investing in young people and creating an enabling academic environment.

“Education is one of the pillars of this administration. We believe in the youths, in your energy and capacity, and we do not pay lip service to matters concerning students,” he said.

He charged student leaders nationwide to complement government efforts by intensifying advocacy against social vices on campuses, particularly drug abuse, cultism and prostitution.

According to him, universities and colleges are not only centres of academic excellence but also institutions for character development and moral formation.

“It is important to address the ills of social vices among students. I urge you to make moral reorientation part of your engagement with colleagues,” he added.

The Chief of Staff noted that the President considers the fight against social vices a national priority, revealing that a special committee has been established to tackle rising concerns in secondary and tertiary institutions.

On industrial harmony in the university system, Gbajabiamila said sustained dialogue with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has resulted in improved stability, with the country nearing three years without a nationwide university strike.

He recalled his experience as Speaker of the House of Representatives, where he participated in negotiations with ASUU to resolve recurring industrial disputes that had previously prolonged students’ academic timelines.

Gbajabiamila also highlighted the impact of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), describing the student loan initiative as a transformative intervention that is already enabling indigent students to remain in school.

In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon, reaffirmed the Presidency’s commitment to sustained engagement with students and the consolidation of stability within the education sector.

He said recent reforms under the Tinubu administration have helped restore predictability to academic calendars, noting that prolonged government-ASUU disputes in the past had severely disrupted university education.

Earlier, NANS President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, commended President Tinubu for what he described as “unprecedented support for Nigerian students.”

He said government policies have strengthened stability in tertiary institutions, with many four-year courses now running to completion without interruption.

Oladoja cited improved engagement with ASUU and the implementation of the student loan scheme as major milestones, disclosing that over 900,000 students have so far benefited from the programme.

He also acknowledged security interventions on campuses, including the approval of perimeter fencing for vulnerable institutions following reports of hostel incursions in some schools.

While pledging continued support for government policies, the NANS president said the association would sustain its conflict-resolution framework to promote peace across campuses.

He requested an audience with the President, appealed for palliatives for students during the fasting seasons, and called for expanded job opportunities for young graduates.

Oladoja further informed the Presidency of plans to convene a major student gathering in Abuja to publicly endorse the President’s policies, assuring that NANS would continue to champion constructive dialogue and stability in Nigerian tertiary institutions.