The Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, has assured Nigerians that public universities will not be shut down, saying the government is committed to keeping students in school.
Speaking to journalists at the Gender and Inclusion Summit in Abuja on Wednesday, Alausa dismissed fears of another Academic Staff Union of Universities strike despite ongoing talks over the non-implementation of the 2009 agreement.
“We will keep our children in school,” Alausa said. “We are engaging ASUU and other trade unions with the highest level of mutual respect. I don’t want to start talking about private conversations with them, but what I can assure you is that ASUU will not go on strike. This is a responsible government, and we will ensure that our children stay in school.”
The 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement covers sustainable funding for universities, payment of outstanding salary arrears, stagnated promotions, unremitted third-party deductions, and alleged victimisation of lecturers in some schools.
Alausa also spoke about efforts to modernise the education system, including the move to computer-based testing for exams conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council.
“We believe that computer-based testing is one of the starting points to reduce examination malpractices,” he explained. “By November this year, the WAEC exam objectives will be CBT, while essays will still be paper-based. By next year, both the objectives and essays will be CBT. This will help students prepare better, study more, and make smarter life decisions.”
The minister added that plans are in place to support students in underserved communities and those with disabilities. “We have clear plans to integrate these communities. For areas without the right infrastructure, we will transport students to designated centres for their exams,” he said.
The summit also addressed issues of gender inclusion. Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said women are breaking barriers in the private sector.
“Female executives now occupy an estimated 22 percent of leadership positions, which is higher than the global average of 20 percent, and women lead over 40 percent of Nigeria’s key commercial banks,” she said.
She added that empowering women could significantly boost the economy, citing a World Bank study that shows closing the gender gap in labour participation could add \$229 billion to Nigeria’s GDP by 2030.
The Chairman of the Policy Innovation Centre, Udeme Ufot, and the Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Niyi Yusuf, also spoke at the event, calling for collective action to build an inclusive society.
“Inclusion begins with listening,” Ufot said. “The voices of rural women, young people, and other marginalised groups must shape decisions that affect their lives.”
