Dr. Tunji Alausa is Nigeria’s 36th Minister of Education, following a cabinet reshuffle by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, October 23, 2024.
The new education minister is a trained medical doctor, succeeding Prof. Tahir Mamman, an educationist and former Vice-Chancellor of a private university in Abuja.
Reversal of the 18-Year Admission Benchmark
Alausa faces numerous issues on his agenda, one of which is the 18-year admission benchmark for tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
At his inaugural press conference in Abuja, Dr Tunji Alausa disclosed that his predecessor’s plan to bar students under 18 from admission into higher institutions has been reversed.
According to Alausa, students aged 16 can now be offered admission to higher institutions.
This policy change departs from Mamman’s initial stance, which stated that students below 18 should neither take entrance exams nor gain admission into tertiary institutions.
Back in July 2024, Prof. Mamman informed JAMB that, starting in 2025, candidates under 18 would no longer be eligible for admission to tertiary institutions, a plan major stakeholders criticized as retrogressive. We don’t know if the policy led to the sack of Mamman as a minister.
Alausa also stated, “We will not be moving forward with the 18-year admission benchmark,” and promised to meet with key stakeholders, including the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
His consideration for exceptions to allow gifted students, such as those aged 14 or 15, to gain admission into universities is an encouraging development.
Opinion: Lowering the age limit for admission is a balanced approach to cater to diverse learning capacities.
While I believe this change can foster early academic engagement for bright students, Alausa must ensure that academic and emotional readiness, not just age, are prioritized in this process.
Addressing Strike Actions in Nigerian Higher Institutions
Alausa promised that his administration would mark a fresh start by working closely with unions such as ASUU, NASU, SSANU, ASUP, and COEASU.
However, he has not clarified if the 2009 Memorandum of Understanding with ASUU, which remains unfulfilled, will be honored.
The failure of previous administrations to meet the agreement’s terms has fueled frequent strikes in Nigerian universities.
Opinion: Effective dialogue with these unions will be crucial if Alausa genuinely wants to break the cycle of strikes.
Addressing union demands, especially the unresolved MoU, can set the stage for stability in higher education, a change that Nigerians are eagerly waiting to see.
Partnering with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to Reduce Out-of-School Children
As of 2023, over 17 million children in Nigeria are out-of-school, based on data from UNICEF.
Dr. Alausa has pledged to tackle this issue through partnership with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs by offering conditional cash transfers as incentives for school enrollment.
Northern Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children, with states like Kebbi, Zamfara, Bauchi, Yobe, and others ranking highest.
Alausa expressed optimism that conditional cash transfers would improve enrollment rates. However, this plan raises concerns about data integrity.
Opinion: Is there a reliable record of school-aged children in Nigeria, or are we depending solely on foreign data?
Furthermore, questions remain about transparency. Will the transfers go directly to parents?
Who will oversee and evaluate the program to ensure it delivers results?
While the conditional cash transfer idea is commendable, it is vulnerable to misuse without adequate monitoring and data accuracy.
Alausa must prioritize transparency and accountability, or this well-intentioned policy could become another lost opportunity.
Certificate Racketeering from Benin Republic
One of the decisive actions taken by the former Minister of Education was to withdraw certificates from certain institutions in Benin Republic and Togo.
Mamman initiated an investigation into how some Nigerians were able to gain admission to these institutions and complete degree programs in less than six months.
On this matter, Alausa reaffirmed his support for the policy, saying it would help “weed out the system of fake certificates.”
Opinion: The crackdown on dubious foreign qualifications is long overdue. This is a commendable step to maintain the integrity of Nigerian education.
However, Alausa should also collaborate with relevant agencies to establish stricter vetting standards for foreign qualifications to protect genuine graduates.
Plan to Reduce Unemployed Graduates
The minister pledged to collaborate with the private sector to train students, aiming to produce skilled graduates capable of creating jobs.
He stated that federal technical colleges and entrepreneurship institutes would focus on developing practical skills, with “80 percent of education on practical training and 20 percent on theory.”
In recent years, specialized institutions, like universities of agriculture and technology, have veered away from their core missions, pursuing unrelated programs.
Alausa vowed to correct this by mandating that all specialized universities prioritize their foundational objectives, including supporting them with financial assistance.
Opinion: A shift toward practical education is essential for tackling graduate unemployment.
Alausa’s plan to emphasize skill acquisition is inspiring, but sustaining this model will require robust industry partnerships and continuous government support.
Will Alausa’s Tenure Transform Nigerian Education?
With his varied policy plans and resolve, Dr. Alausa has undoubtedly taken on a formidable challenge.
Will his tenure bring the needed transformation, or will it end up being another phase of promises? Only time will tell.
Join EdubaseNG WhatsApp Channel to get the latest education & student loan tips
Join our Telegram Channel to get the latest news about Student Loans & Education News.
Are you a stakeholder in education? You can become our guest writer. Write to us using our our email address here
