The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has announced plans to work with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to mobilise 10 million student votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
Alausa disclosed this while receiving the leadership of NANS, led by its President, Comrade Babatunde Afeez Akinteye, alongside leaders of other student bodies and members of the NANS Executive Council.
The delegation included the President of the National Association of University Students (NAUS), Comrade Meshach Nwankwo; President of NAPS, Comrade Jimoh Ibrahim; and President of NANCES, Comrade Kur Isaac Ushahemba.
Discussions at the meeting centred on developments in the education sector under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), student accommodation, renewable energy, entrepreneurship and campus infrastructure.
Alausa also listened to concerns raised by the student leaders over scholarships, admissions and accreditation, and reaffirmed his commitment to addressing them.
“As we look towards the 2027 elections, in my role as the APC Campaign Council’s Director on Education Sector Mobilisation, I will be working closely with NANS to mobilise 10 million student votes for President Tinubu,” Alausa said.
“With these votes, we can sustain these progressive reforms and continue delivering greater opportunities for young Nigerians,” he affirmed.
The minister said his engagement with students provided an opportunity to hear their perspectives and discuss the future of the country’s education sector.
“I always value the opportunity to sit with our students, listen to their perspectives and discuss the future we are building together,” he said.
Alausa thanked the NANS leadership and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Comrade Sunday Asefon, for the visit and continued engagement.