Group Blasts Education Minister Over Alleged Incompetence, Mismanagement …Says He Lacks Capacity to Lead Education Sector

A civic group, Citizens for Good Governance and Accountability in Nigeria (CFGAA), has accused the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, of gross incompetence, maladministration, and lacking the experience required to oversee a sensitive ministry like education.

The group warned that Dr.

In a statement issued in Abuja over the weekend, the Executive Director of Policy and Research at CFGAA, Dr. Elvis Oghar, said the minister lacks the administrative skills and exposure needed to manage a ministry populated by seasoned technocrats.

According to the statement, various unions within the education sector—including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU)—are dissatisfied with developments under the current minister and may soon confront the government over unresolved issues.

The organisation blamed Dr. Alausa’s “ineptitude” for the recent industrial action by ASUU, noting that his denial of existing agreements between the federal government and the union provoked widespread anger among university workers nationwide.

CFGAA also alleged a plot to undermine public universities, accusing ministry officials of frustrating the release of ₦150 billion earmarked for the Universities’ Revitalisation Fund in the 2025 Appropriation Act.

Describing the minister’s denial of knowledge of the ASUU agreements as “reckless,” the group said such a statement clearly showed he is not in control of his duties.

Dr. Oghar expressed concern over the “lackadaisical attitude” of ministry officials toward public university education, warning that neglecting the system could trigger renewed industrial unrest.

He further alleged that the minister recently wrote to the National Assembly seeking to alter the budget subhead linked to the 2009 ASUU agreements, replacing it with a questionable new line item.

The group cautioned the federal government against handling its commitments to the unions with levity, claiming that the minister’s inexperience has made him overly reliant on a senior official who previously misadvised a former minister, resulting in her dismissal for financial misconduct.

Oghar urged Dr. Alausa to exercise caution in dealing with ASUU and to expedite the release of the approved ₦150 billion revitalisation fund. He accused some ministry officials of exploiting the minister’s lack of experience to push for the diversion of funds to institutions where they have vested interests, describing such moves as detrimental to national progress.

Meanwhile, CFGAA commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for introducing the Students’ Loan Scheme, noting that the initiative will broaden access to quality education, particularly for children from less privileged backgrounds.

However, the group stressed that beyond the loan scheme, Nigerian universities urgently require improved infrastructure and modern learning technologies to enhance the quality and competitiveness of graduates globally.