Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, says the Federal Government is overhauling Nigeria’s education sector to develop a highly skilled workforce capable of driving the country’s ambition of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

Speaking during an interview on Sunday, Alausa said the administration of President Bola Tinubu views education as a critical pillar for economic transformation, with reforms focused on strengthening human capital development, expanding skills acquisition and improving tertiary education.

According to the minister, the government’s long-term objective is to equip young Nigerians with the knowledge and skills needed to compete in the global labour market while contributing to national and continental economic growth.

Alausa said efforts are also being made to address manpower shortages in the health sector through increased admissions into professional training programmes.

He disclosed that annual admissions into nursing schools have increased from about 20,000 to 50,000, while enrolment for medicine, pharmacy and dentistry programmes has also been expanded to boost the country’s healthcare workforce.

On student financing, the minister said the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) was established on a sustainable framework that would continue supporting students beyond the lifespan of the current administration.

He added that President Tinubu had directed that key reforms introduced by his government should be institutionalised to ensure continuity in future administrations.

Alausa also attributed the relative industrial peace currently being enjoyed in public tertiary institutions to the administration’s engagement with university-based unions.

He noted that the Federal Government had paid 50 per cent of previously withheld salaries owed to university workers and approved a salary increase of nearly 40 per cent for staff in the sector.

According to the minister, the improved learning environment has contributed to better international recognition for Nigerian universities, with the number of institutions listed in the Times Higher Education rankings increasing from 21 to 24. He added that public universities have also regained leading positions among the country’s top-ranked institutions.

Alausa reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to widening access to quality education, strengthening human capital development and preparing Nigerian youths to compete effectively in the global economy in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.