Nigerian youth key to national development – Minister of Education
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has emphasized the pivotal role of Nigerian youth in driving the nation’s progress in sectors such as education, healthcare, and economic development. Dr. Alausa made these remarks during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Akinyemi Nafiu, and his delegation to the Federal Ministry of Education headquarters in Abuja.
Dr. Alausa proposed several key initiatives aimed at empowering Nigerian youth and enhancing their contribution to national development. These initiatives include the Teacher’s Call program, which seeks to engage National Certificate in Education (NCE) holders as temporary teachers in underserved areas, and the Rural Health Corps, which will deploy corps members with medical training to rural communities. He also suggested a comprehensive overhaul of the NYSC orientation program to incorporate vocational, entrepreneurial, agricultural, and ICT training to improve youth employability and reduce unemployment.
Highlighting the need for skill acquisition and youth empowerment, Dr. Alausa also proposed extending the National Youth Service year beyond the current 12 months. He argued that this extension would provide young Nigerians with more time to acquire market-ready skills, thereby enhancing their employability and entrepreneurial potential. Dr. Alausa reaffirmed his belief in the immense potential of Nigerian youth, describing them as the greatest asset for advancing both education and economic growth in the country.
The Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, also spoke during the event, commending the NYSC for its essential role in maintaining educational standards and safeguarding the integrity of academic certificates, especially amid growing concerns regarding transnational education.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, praised both Honourable Ministers and the NYSC leadership for their shared vision and commitment to collaboration. He described the visit as a timely and constructive meeting of minds that will help drive sustainable solutions in education and youth development.
In his response, Brigadier General Nafiu expressed gratitude for the Ministry’s continued partnership and highlighted ongoing reforms within the NYSC to enhance service delivery. He also called for the establishment of a pre-departure database to monitor Nigerian students studying abroad, with the aim of tackling certificate fraud and maintaining the integrity of academic qualifications.
The Director-General also praised the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program and advocated for continued cooperation with the Ministry to strengthen education and youth empowerment.
Both the Ministry and the NYSC leadership reaffirmed their joint commitment to reforms focused on integrity, innovation, and youth-driven transformation, setting the stage for a more dynamic and prosperous future for Nigeria’s young people.
