The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has urged the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and other student leaders to mobilize 10 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Alausa made the call on Thursday in Abuja when the leadership of NANS and other student associations paid him a familiarisation visit.
He said Nigerian students had a direct stake in the 2027 election because the outcome would influence policies on education, skills development, student financing, employment and other opportunities for young people.
The Minister linked his appeal to the Federal Government’s education reforms under the Tinubu administration, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), technical and vocational education and training (TVET), student accommodation, campus infrastructure and entrepreneurship programmes.
Alausa said about ₦200 billion had been committed to NELFUND, with more than 1.6 million students benefiting from the scheme.
He said the government’s recent directives on additional funding sources would strengthen the sustainability of the student loan programme and assured beneficiaries that the monthly upkeep allowance would continue.
The minister also disclosed that more than ₦200 billion had been committed to expanding student accommodation, while over ₦150 billion had been invested in TVET infrastructure.
He said the government was also expanding renewable energy projects in federal tertiary institutions to improve electricity supply to laboratories, workshops, libraries and hostels.
Additional campus tricycles, he said, would be deployed to ease transportation challenges faced by students.
Alausa further highlighted the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG), which provides equity-free funding to student innovators seeking to turn their ideas into businesses.
The programme offers up to ₦50 million to successful student-led ventures. In March, the Federal Government awarded ₦2.25 billion to 45 student innovators under the scheme, with each beneficiary receiving ₦50 million.
The Minister said the government was considering increasing the grant ceiling in the next phase.
He also said sustained engagement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was contributing to academic stability and supporting the administration’s goal of ensuring that four-year degree programmes are completed within four years.
While commending some of the administration’s education initiatives, NANS President, Babatunde Afeez Akinteye, raised concerns over federal scholarship awards, illegal admissions and accreditation problems affecting students in some institutions.
Akinteye praised the NELFUND scheme, saying the student loan programme and monthly upkeep allowance had provided relief to beneficiaries facing financial difficulties.
He, however, urged the government to strengthen regulatory action against institutions admitting students into programmes without the required approval or capacity.
He said students risked spending years on programmes that could ultimately leave them without recognised qualifications.
Responding, Alausa assured the students that the ministry was addressing the concerns raised.
He said the government was working to resolve funding challenges affecting the Federal Scholarship Awards, strengthen admission processes and review the accreditation system to prevent students from being admitted into unapproved programmes.
The Minister also pledged to maintain regular engagement with student leaders and address issues affecting tertiary education and student welfare.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon, said the meeting was aimed at strengthening communication between the Presidency, the Ministry of Education and organised student groups.
He said student leaders had an important role in identifying challenges affecting tertiary institutions and working with the government to find solutions.
The meeting comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather pace, with young Nigerians expected to remain an important voting bloc.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has continued preparations for the 2027 elections, which are scheduled to hold on 20 February 2027. The presidential and National Assembly elections will be followed by governorship and state assembly elections on 6 March.
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