Group Alleges Alausa Undermining Tinubu’s Education Reforms

A coalition called Citizens for Good Governance and Accountability in Nigeria (CFGAA) has claimed that the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, lacks the experience needed for President Bola Tinubu’s plans in the education sector.

In a statement from the group’s Executive Director of Policy and Research, Dr Elvis Oghar, it was said that the minister does not have the skills or administrative experience necessary to run the Ministry of Education effectively.

The group noted that various unions within the ministry, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, and the Senior Staff of Universities, are unhappy with recent changes and may confront the government soon.

The statement linked the recent ASUU strike to the minister’s incompetence.

It pointed out that Alausa’s remarks dismissing the agreement between ASUU and the federal government have angered all university unions across the country.

According to the statement, there are attempts to undermine public universities. It claimed that ministry officials opposed the release of N150 billion allocated to the Universities’ Revitalisation Fund under ASUU in the 2025 Appropriation Act.

The statement criticised the minister for his reckless claim of not knowing about the agreements between the federal government and ASUU, calling it a clear sign that he is not managing his responsibilities properly.

Oghar expressed serious concern about the indifference shown by ministry officials toward public university education, warning the government against neglecting the university system.

He mentioned that the group is aware of a letter from the Minister of Education to the National Assembly asking for a change in the budget from the original agreement with ASUU to a different budget line.

He warned that strikes could happen if the government continues to ignore the unions’ agreements.

He alleged that the minister is being misled into making choices that could disturb the peace in the country’s public universities.

The statement said that the minister’s inexperience has led him to rely on a senior official within the ministry, who had previously mismanaged the former minister, resulting in her dismissal for financial misconduct under the Tinubu administration.

Oghar then advised the Minister to be careful in dealings with ASUU and to ensure the timely release of the approved N150 billion university revitalisation fund.

He clarified that some people within the Ministry of Education are taking advantage of the minister’s inexperience, as he was out of the country before his appointment.

He urged those trying to redirect the funds to other institutions for personal benefit to stop immediately, stressing that personal gain must not come before the needs of Nigerians.

Still, the CFGAA leader praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for starting the Students’ Loan scheme, saying that the initiative will improve access to quality education, especially for those who struggle to pay tuition fees.

However, he emphasised that Nigerian universities urgently need better infrastructure and technology tools to enhance the quality of graduates who can compete globally.