The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, reaffirms that education remains one of the strongest pillars of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the Federal Government intensifies reforms aimed at stabilizing Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
Mediaplusng.com reports that Gbajabiamila makes this declaration when the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) pays him a courtesy visit at the State House in Abuja. During the engagement, he emphasizes that the current administration prioritizes youth development and considers investment in education a strategic national agenda.
Addressing student leaders, the Chief of Staff urges them to complement government efforts by taking active roles in tackling social vices on campuses, including drug abuse, cultism, and prostitution. He stresses that universities and colleges are not only centers for academic excellence but also institutions designed to build character, integrity, and leadership values among young Nigerians.
Mediaplusng.com notes that Gbajabiamila describes the fight against social vices as a national priority for the Tinubu administration. He reveals that the government has already constituted a special committee to address growing concerns in secondary and tertiary institutions across the country. According to him, education reforms must go beyond infrastructure and funding to include moral reorientation and responsible student leadership.
The Chief of Staff commends the NANS leadership for maintaining constructive engagement with the government. He encourages student representatives to institutionalize moral advocacy as part of campus culture, urging them to promote discipline and peer accountability among their colleagues. He reiterates that the administration does not pay lip service to youth development and remains committed to creating opportunities for students to thrive academically and socially.
Mediaplusng.com gathers that Gbajabiamila highlights ongoing dialogue between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), noting that sustained engagement has resulted in nearly three years without a nationwide university strike. He recalls his previous experience as Speaker of the House of Representatives, where he participated in negotiations aimed at ending prolonged industrial actions that disrupted academic calendars and forced students to spend additional years in school.
He also underscores the impact of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, explaining that the student loan scheme is already supporting indigent students and ensuring that financial hardship does not prevent access to higher education. According to the Presidency, the loan initiative forms part of broader education financing reforms designed to expand inclusivity and improve human capital development.
In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon, reiterates the administration’s commitment to continuous dialogue with students nationwide. He notes that recent reforms have helped restore predictable academic calendars and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s higher education system.
Meanwhile, NANS President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, commends President Tinubu for what he describes as unprecedented support for Nigerian students. He points to improved government relations with ASUU and the rollout of the student loan programme as significant milestones. According to him, over 900,000 students have reportedly benefited from the initiative, helping many complete their four-year courses on schedule.
The NANS leadership also acknowledges security interventions on campuses, including the approval of perimeter fencing for vulnerable institutions following reports of security breaches in student hostels. While pledging continued support for government reforms, the association calls for expanded job opportunities for graduates and additional palliatives for students during fasting seasons.
As discussions conclude, the student body expresses plans to organize a major gathering in Abuja to publicly endorse the administration’s education policies. The engagement underscores a renewed partnership between government and student leaders, with a shared focus on academic stability, youth empowerment, and sustainable education reforms in Nigeria.
