Tunji Alausa, minister of education, has called on the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and other student leaders to mobilise 10 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
Alausa spoke in Abuja when the leadership of NANS and other student associations paid him a familiarisation visit.
The minister said continuity of the Tinubu administration is necessary to sustain what he described as gains recorded in student financing, skills development, infrastructure and access to tertiary education.
He said Nigerian students had a direct stake in the 2027 elections, noting that government policies would have significant implications for their education, skills, employment prospects and future opportunities.
According to him, Tinubu has demonstrated a strong commitment to young Nigerians through policies designed to address immediate challenges and longstanding gaps in the education sector.
He said the administration’s approach had gone beyond investment in classrooms to include student financing, accommodation, technical and vocational education, entrepreneurship, campus infrastructure and measures aimed at protecting the academic calendar.
Alausa identified the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as one of the administration’s major interventions, saying about N200 billion had been committed to the scheme and more than 1.6 million students had benefited.
He also highlighted government investments in student accommodation, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), campus transportation, renewable energy and entrepreneurship.
The minister said more than N200 billion had been committed to expanding student accommodation, while over N150 billion had been allocated to TVET infrastructure.
Alausa added that the government was addressing some of the everyday challenges that affect students’ ability to learn and complete their programmes.
Earlier, Sunday Asefon, senior special assistant to the president on student engagement, said the visit was aimed at strengthening direct engagement between the Presidency, Ministry of Education and the organised student community.
Babatunde Akinteye, NANS president, commended Tinubu and Alausa for interventions including NELFUND and TVET.
Akinteye said the student loan scheme had made a significant difference in the lives of beneficiaries, adding that the monthly upkeep allowance had provided relief for students facing financial difficulties.
He urged the government to sustain the initiative.
The NANS president, however, raised concerns over federal scholarship awards, illegal admissions and accreditation challenges affecting students in some institutions.
He called for stronger regulatory action to protect students from institutions admitting them into programmes without the required approval or capacity.
Akinteye said student leaders were willing to collaborate with the government to address the challenges and improve the welfare and educational experience of Nigerian students.
