Education Minister Maruf Tunji Alausa has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will win the 2027 presidential election, citing the administration’s investments in student loans, technical education and skills development.
Alausa made the statement in Abuja during a visit to the office of the City Boy Movement, where he commended Seyi Tinubu and members of the group for their grassroots mobilisation and engagement with Nigerians.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, October 28, by Ikharo Attah, the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Alausa said the administration’s education reforms and human-capital investments would be central to public assessment of its performance ahead of the next election.
He described education as a key pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda, highlighting government initiatives aimed at expanding access to higher education, improving student welfare and equipping young Nigerians with practical skills.
The minister identified the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a major intervention intended to reduce financial barriers to tertiary education, saying students should not lose the opportunity to pursue their academic ambitions because of their families’ financial circumstances.
He also highlighted the expansion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), claiming that more than 250,000 Nigerians were benefiting from skills development programmes across approximately 1,200 training centres nationwide.
According to Alausa, the programmes provide practical training in areas such as solar photovoltaic installation, fashion and garment production, carpentry, construction trades and animal husbandry.
He said the initiatives were designed to bridge the gap between education and employment by preparing young people for opportunities in industry, entrepreneurship and other productive sectors.
The minister also referenced efforts to address infrastructure and accommodation challenges in tertiary institutions, as well as initiatives to expand nursing education and professional training.
He maintained that investments in education and skills development were essential to building a skilled workforce, improving employment opportunities and supporting Nigeria’s long-term economic growth.
Alausa further pointed to opportunities in business-process outsourcing and the wider service economy, expressing optimism that a more skilled workforce could help attract international business and create jobs for young Nigerians.
He urged members of the City Boy Movement to sustain their grassroots engagement and communicate government policies and programmes to communities. He also cautioned against misinformation and divisive rhetoric, calling for responsible public discussions about the country’s future.
The minister attributed the administration’s reform agenda to Tinubu’s determination to address longstanding structural challenges and create more fiscal space for investment in public services.
He argued that the government’s education reforms, vocational training initiatives and human-capital investments should feature prominently in discussions about its record ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
His comments come as political activities and mobilisation ahead of the next general election continue to draw attention to the performance of the Tinubu administration.
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