WorldStage— The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has assured Nigerians that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has been deliberately structured on a sustainable financing model capable of supporting generations of students.
He gave the assurance in a statement issued by Mr. Ikharo Attah,
Special Adviser (Media and Communications) to the Minister.
The Minister, in the statement, explained that President Tinubu had consistently directed ministers and heads of government institutions to ensure that every major reform introduced by the administration is designed to endure beyond the lifespan of the present government.
“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.
On industrial harmony within Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, Dr. Alausa credited President Tinubu’s leadership style, anchored on dialogue, trust and mutual respect, for restoring confidence between the Federal Government and academic and non-academic staff unions.
He said the administration approached negotiations with sincerity and openness while ensuring that every agreement reached remained realistic, affordable and implementable.
According to the Minister, President Tinubu fulfilled his commitment to pay 50 per cent of the withheld salaries inherited from previous disputes within months of assuming office, a move that demonstrated credibility and rebuilt trust between government and university unions.
He added that the administration also approved a substantial salary increase of nearly 40 per cent for workers in tertiary institutions as part of broader efforts to improve staff welfare while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
The Minister noted that the renewed atmosphere of industrial peace is already producing measurable results across the higher education sector.
He pointed to the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings, which recorded an increase in the number of Nigerian universities recognised globally from 21 to 24, with public universities reclaiming the top positions nationally for the first time in many years.
Describing the development as evidence that the Federal Government’s reforms are yielding tangible outcomes, the Minister said the improving global competitiveness of Nigerian universities reflects the impact of sustained investments in education and institutional stability.
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Federal Ministry of Education to implementing transformative policies that expand access to quality education, strengthen human capital development and prepare Nigerian youths to compete and excel in a rapidly changing global economy.
He stressed that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, education will remain the foundation for sustainable economic growth, national development and shared prosperity, while assuring Nigerians that the Ministry will continue to pursue reforms that unlock the full potential of the nation’s greatest asset, its people.
