FG Assures No Qualified Nigerian Will Miss Higher Education Over Poverty

The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that no qualified student will be denied access to higher education because of financial hardship, saying recent reforms and investments in the education sector are aimed at removing economic barriers to learning.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, gave the assurance during a meeting with members of the National Committee for the Advancement of Occupational Therapy, Audiology and Speech and Language Therapy Education. He said President Bola Tinubu's administration is committed to ensuring that every eligible Nigerian has the opportunity to pursue tertiary education, regardless of their financial background.

According to the minister, the government has invested more than ₦1 trillion in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education over the past two years. He said the funds have been channelled into the construction and rehabilitation of student hostels, classrooms, engineering workshops, medical schools and other learning facilities to improve access and the quality of education nationwide.

Alausa added that the administration's education reforms are designed to equip students with the knowledge and practical skills required to drive innovation and national development. He noted that expanding access to quality education remains a key component of the government's human capital development agenda.

The minister also reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to working with tertiary institutions and other stakeholders to strengthen specialised academic programmes and improve educational outcomes. He expressed confidence that the ongoing investments would create greater opportunities for Nigerian students while enhancing the country's higher education system.