Education key to achieving $1trn economy — Alausa

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has said education will play a central role in achieving President Bola Tinubu’s target of building a $1 trillion Nigerian economy by 2030.

Speaking during an interview with journalists over the weekend, Alausa said the Federal Government is implementing reforms aimed at producing a globally competitive workforce through increased investment in education, skills development and human capital.

He said the administration’s goal is to position Nigeria as a leading supplier of skilled manpower to the global economy.

“We want to be the manpower supplier of the world. We need to produce competent, skilled and educated young Nigerians who will drive our economy and compete globally,” he said.

The minister disclosed that annual enrolment into nursing schools has increased from 20,000 to 50,000, while admissions into medicine, pharmacy and dentistry have also been expanded to address shortages of healthcare professionals.

He said the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) was deliberately designed as a sustainable financing model to support future generations of students beyond the current administration.

“There is no value in introducing policies that cannot stand the test of time. Sustainability is central to this administration’s philosophy, and that principle guided the design of NELFUND,” he said.

Alausa also attributed the restoration of industrial peace in public tertiary institutions to President Tinubu’s approach of dialogue and engagement.

According to him, the Federal Government resolved long-standing disputes by paying 50 per cent of withheld salaries and approving a 40 per cent salary increase for university workers.

He added that recent reforms are beginning to yield results, noting that the number of Nigerian universities listed in the Times Higher Education global rankings has increased from 21 to 24, with public universities reclaiming the top positions nationally.

The minister reaffirmed that education remains a key pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as essential to sustainable economic growth, national development and unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s youthful population.