The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Olatunji Alausa

  • Fed Govt unveils three documents on teachers devt, two others

    Fed Govt unveils three documents on teachers devt, two others

    The Federal Government has unveiled three key policy documents to address teachers’ education, almajiri education and drugs and substance abuses in secondary schools and tertiary institutions.

    The policy documents were launched yesterday by Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa alongside the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, representatives from UNESCO and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

    The policy documents included: national teachers’ policy and its implementation guidelines; the national policy on almajiri education and its implementation guidelines and the national policy on drug and substance abuse in secondary schools and tertiary institutions.

    Alausa said the ministry has adopted an 80 per cent implementation and 20 per cent policy development model in line with international standards.

    The minister said that Nigeria’s education reforms must now translate into measurable outcomes across all states.

    He appreciated the continued support of development partners, including UNESCO, UNICEF, and others, for Nigeria’s education sector.

    The minister stated that the new policies would either improve existing ones or address areas where no policy previously existed.

    Alausa stressed that policy is just 10 per cent of the work, adding, “Implementation is the heart of what we do, and the commissioners will drive this work, while the Federal Government will provide the technical support and resources required.

    “The first of the three policies presented is the National Teachers’ Policy alongside its implementation guidelines. The policy is designed to strengthen teacher quality, upgrade competencies, and improve professional development.”

    Alausa said the government had accelerated the digitalisation of teacher training programmes and would soon launch a digital platform for continuous professional development.

    He added that the government was working to ensure that all public school teachers are licensed by the Teacher Registration Council to produce the best students.

    The minister said the second policy document on Drug and Substance Abuse in Schools was meant to address the rising rate of drug and substance abuse among students in secondary schools and tertiary institutions.

    “This is the first time Nigeria is developing a national policy and implementation guideline on drug abuse in schools,” the minister said.

    Read Also: ‘We have recorded 860 terrorism convictions since 2017,’ says AGF Fagbemi

    He added that the policy incorporated counselling and behavioural support but affirmed that the government would not hesitate to punish repeat offenders.

    Alausa said: “We must protect our youth. Addiction destroys lives, and President Bola Tinubu believes strongly in the capacity of Nigerians.”

    Also speaking, the minister of state for education said the new policies would directly attack the problems of education in the country.

    The minister said: “These documents compliment the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative and reinforce our commitment to ensure that no child is left behind.

    “The policy documents respond to the high impact deliverables assigned to the education sector and reflect strong alignment with national priorities and the strategic outcomes envisioned for our country.

    “To achieve our aspiration, it is not enough to design policies. We must translate them into measurable results.”

    Kwara State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Lawal Olohungbebe, pledged to fully implement the new policies.

    He emphasised that while policies were formulated at the federal level, implementation rested squarely with the states.

    “Most of the implementation steps can easily be captured in our 2025 project plans for those who have not gone beyond that stage,” he explained.

    He pledged the commitment of all state commissioners of education to ensuring the policies translate into concrete results across the federation.

    “We’ll do our best to ensure that every part of these policies is well implemented. We are strategic, decisive, and deliberate. We will do everything we can,” he said.

  • Fed Govt pays varsity-based unions’ N50b earned allowances

    Fed Govt pays varsity-based unions’ N50b earned allowances

    The Federal Government has announced the release of N50 billion to university-based unions for the settlement of earned allowances as promised by President Bola Tinubu.

    Minister of Education Dr. Olatunji Alausa announced the release of the funds yesterday through a statement issued by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, in Abuja.

    The four university-based unions that will benefit from the fund include: Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

    According to the statement, this landmark development stands as yet another testament to President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to fundamentally transform Nigeria’s education sector.

    Read Also: Tinubu issues fresh security directives, says ‘enough is enough’ – Ribadu

    It added that the release of the funds reflected the administration’s bold resolve to transition the nation from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy through strategic investments in education, infrastructure, and human capital.

    The statement said: “This intervention is not just a financial transaction—it is a reaffirmation of our President’s belief in the capacity of Nigerian youth and the invaluable role that academic and non-academic staff plays in nurturing them.

    “By prioritising their welfare, we are laying the foundation for a future where every Nigerian child receives highly qualitative and globally competitive education.

    “The minister expresses President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s heartfelt appreciation to both academic and non-academic unions for their sustained trust in his administration and for fostering an atmosphere of peace and cooperation across Nigeria’s federal institutions.

    “Notably, the country is currently experiencing one of the longest uninterrupted academic sessions in recent history—a feat attributed to the mutual understanding and shared commitment between the government and the university community.

    “The Honourable Minister of Education has also pledged to continue working collaboratively with all stakeholders across the education value chain to ensure that every Nigerian child has access to quality education, comparable to global standards.

    “This announcement marks a significant step in the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reinforces the Federal Government’s determination to make the Nigerian education sector a shining model for Africa and the world.”

  • Fed Govt okays policy for selection of vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts

    Fed Govt okays policy for selection of vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts

    The federal government has approved the implementation of a guiding policy on eligibility for the appointment of Vice – Chancellors (VCs), rectors and provosts.

    The government said that the new guideline, approved by Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, is in line with the commitment of the Ministry of Education to promote equity, transparency and integrity in the appointment process of Federal Tertiary Institutions.

    This was convened in a statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Folasade Boriowo on Thursday in Abuja.

    It noted that the policy became necessary “following a pattern of undue advantage observed over the years, where officers serving in acting capacities often leverage their positions to influence appointment outcomes, thereby compromising the fairness and transparency of the selection process.”

    The statement read: “To eliminate this practice, ensure a level playing field for all qualified candidates and strengthen institutional governance, the policy stipulates that any officer serving in an acting capacity as Vice Chancellor, Rector or Provost shall not be eligible to apply for the substantive position while still holding the acting appointment.

    “However, in the interest of fairness, such officers may choose to recuse themselves from their acting positions before the expiration of their non-renewable six-month tenure, thereby becoming eligible to apply for the substantive roles.

    Read Also: Fed Govt to reposition textile industry

    “This policy is designed to complement the existing Federal Ministry of Education Guidelines for the Appointment of Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and Provosts (2013), along with all other extant regulations governing appointments in federal tertiary institutions.

    “Governing Councils, Managements, and relevant stakeholders are hereby requested to ensure strict compliance with the new directive. For clarity and ease of implementation, the policy document is enclosed as Annex I, while the 2013 Guidelines are enclosed as Annex II.

    The Ministry appreciates the continued dedication and cooperation of stakeholders in upholding good governance and maintaining the integrity of leadership appointment processes within the education sector. It is our belief that this policy will bring about the desired reforms and enhance public confidence in the selection of principal officers in our institutions.”

  • We’re partnering Govs to tackle out-of-school-children menace-FG

    We’re partnering Govs to tackle out-of-school-children menace-FG

    The Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa said that the Federal Government is partnering with Governors to tackle the menace of out-of-school children in the country.

    Alausa stated this at the 2025 Budget Defence session organised by the joint Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TetFund and Education, in Abuja.

    He said that the ministry had met with Governors and all the 36 Commissioners for Education, including FCT to find lasting solution to the challenge.

    Alausa said: “So we’re working together on this. So, it now has to be a collaborative effort on what we have to do.

    “The number of the out-of-school-children is mind boggling and disturbing. It is not in just one geopolitical region. It is everywhere.

    Read Also: 64.8m Nigerians enroll for BVN, says NIBSS

    “We need to confront it else we will be consumed by it. We have to engage with our governors and we have held meeting with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum on how to collaborate on this.

    “We are also working with all the 36 commissioners for  education, including that of the  FCT.”

    Alausa also decried that the Almajiri Schools built during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan were abandoned calling for efforts to revive them.

    “Of the over a hundred of the schools built for out-of-school children, only few are operational.

    “The funding of the Almajiri and  out-of-School Commission is not enough. We need more funding in this regard,” he said.

    He further said that the ministry would ensure human capital development to boost the education sector.

    “We want them to develop. It’s the best part of any society. Without education, we an’t survive as a society.

    “And if you look at the human capital index, Nigeria has one of the lowest human capital index in the world.”

    In his remarks, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Muntari Dandutse, emphasised the important role of education in national development.

    “As lawmakers, we have a constitutional responsibility to ensure that resources allocated to this critical sector are strategically planned and utilised.”

    Dandutse said that the proposed 2025 budget is expected to demonstrate a clear vision for addressing the gaps identified in the 2024 Appropriation.

    “While also introducing innovative strategies to tackle emerging challenges in the education sector.”