Education

Expect transformative change in our educational system-Minister of Education, Dr. Alausa Pledges at UNILAG 55th Convocation

Published

2 months ago

Jan 17, 2025.

Minister of Education Graced UNILAG 55th Convocation
Declares support for his alma mata
Reveals plans to transform Nigerian Educational Sector

The Honorable Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, declared that the Federal Government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, is set to embark on a transformative trend in the educational sector, promising a move from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy.

Ekohotblog gathered that the Honorable Minister, Dr. Tunji, attended the grand finale of the 55th convocation ceremony of the University of Lagos in the capacity of the First Visitor of the institution, the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, where he made his intentions about the state of the educational sector known to the academic community, on Thursday, January 16, 2025.

The University of Lagos, famously called UNILAG, concluded her 55th convocation ceremony on Thursday with the official admission of academic degrees to her postgraduates and Ph.D. graduands, as well as a formal conferment of honorary degrees to deserving individuals.

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Dr. Tunji Alausa delivered a brief remark, expressing his delight to be at the 55th Convocation Ceremony of his alma mata in the capacity of the First Visitor of the school.

“I would like to extend my profound delight and excitement, returning back to my alma mata, the University of Lagos, as your Minister for Education.

I’m profoundly thankful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this great privilege that he has bestowed on me to serve our country, and I promise you, my fellow alumni, that I will continue to work day and night to bring our educational sector back to the old golden days.” He said.

In addition, Dr. Tunji declared that the educational sector is about to witness an unprecedented transformation as the Ministry of Education will intentionally emback on academic projects that will stimulate positive change in the academic sector, which will effectively spiral into an upward drive in the economic sector of the country.

“…we will change our educational system, change our country from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy, where we can navigate to open up enormous opportunities to youths and citizens to unleash their innate capabilities and potentials to be able to be better, to better themselves, contribute to our community, and contribute to our country, by the grace of almighty Allah.” He declared.

Ekohotblog recalled that Dr. Tunji Alausa addressed provosts and rectors from Federal Colleges of Education, Federal Polytechnics, and allied institutions at a key meeting held on Monday, 13th January 2025, where he pointed out that the leadership of these institutions is pivotal in ensuring that Nigeria’s education system produces graduates equipped with relevant skills for the workforce.

Also, One of the major key areas of focus was the revitalization of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Dr. Alausa outlined the Ministry’s strategy to prioritize practical training over theoretical education, following the Pareto principle (80/20 rule).

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Therefore, he emphasized that TVET should prepare students for careers in high-impact sectors such as ICT, carpentry, electrical installations, and advanced manufacturing.

This approach aims to address the low enrollment rates in technical institutions while producing graduates with market-relevant skills that support Nigeria’s industrialization efforts.

Furthermore, Dr. Tunji Alausa recently launched the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), an initiative aimed at addressing critical areas such as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), STEM fields, and the pressing issue of out-of-school children, marking a crucial milestone in the country’s journey toward equitable, quality education for all.