President Tinubu has honoured Education Minister Dr. Maruf Alausa with a CON award for his service to democracy and learning.
Celebrated for aiding NADECO exiles and reforming technical education, Alausa’s legacy bridges Nigeria’s political past and its educational future.
In a momentous recognition of his dual contributions to Nigeria’s democratic evolution and education sector transformation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred the national honor of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, the current Minister of Education. The award was presented at the 2025 National Honours Investiture Ceremony held on Thursday, June 12, in Abuja.
Dr. Alausa’s recognition underscores both his early activism during Nigeria’s military era and his ongoing reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He is the only sitting cabinet minister to receive the award this year for pro-democracy activism, particularly for his role in supporting exiled leaders of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in the 1990s.
Between 1995 and 1997, while pursuing his medical studies in the United Kingdom, Alausa was instrumental in providing logistics and medical assistance to NADECO members fleeing political persecution. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who spoke at the event, recalled Alausa’s selfless contributions during that period. “He was among the few people who supported our resistance efforts, offering free medical services and housing,” Bamidele noted, adding that Alausa even turned down early political offers, including one from then-Governor Tinubu.
Reacting to the national honour, Alausa described the CON award as both a personal milestone and a renewed mandate for public service. In a statement issued by his special assistant on digital communications and e-learning, Mojoyin Adebajo, the minister expressed gratitude and reaffirmed his dedication to transforming Nigeria’s education system. “This recognition is a reminder of the responsibilities we bear in building a stronger, more inclusive future for our children and youth,” Alausa stated.
Since taking office, Dr. Alausa has embarked on an ambitious reform program targeting structural, digital, and pedagogical improvements in Nigeria’s education sector. Among his signature policies is the implementation of free technical education in federal and state technical colleges, set to commence in the 2025/2026 academic year. The initiative covers full tuition, boarding, feeding, and a monthly stipend of ₦22,500, aiming to remove financial barriers and encourage vocational training among young Nigerians.
The minister also introduced a new curriculum structure for technical education, emphasizing 80% practical learning and 20% theory to align classroom instruction with real-world labor demands. This hands-on model is designed to bridge the gap between education and employment, making technical graduates more competitive in the job market.
On the digital front, Alausa has overseen the nationwide rollout of the Tertiary Institution Information Management System (TIIMS), which has simplified administrative tasks in higher education. Additionally, the Nigeria Learning Passport, now hosting over 15,000 digital learning materials, has broadened access for students and teachers across the country.
In a forward-looking move, the Ministry of Education recently inaugurated the nation’s first Artificial Intelligence in Education Task Force. Complementing this initiative is a new nationwide training program designed to prepare 6,000 secondary school teachers to incorporate AI tools in classroom learning environments.
Alausa’s commitment to data-informed policymaking is also evident through the launch of the National Education Data Initiative (NEDI). This project seeks to unify disparate educational datasets to enable more strategic planning and effective policy implementation.
Recognizing the urgency of school safety, the minister implemented a national anti-bullying framework anchored in the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act and Nigeria’s Safe Schools Declaration. He has also strengthened gender equity in education by expanding the World Bank-supported AGILE program to engage community leaders in increasing school attendance among girls, particularly in marginalized regions.
At the same ceremony, President Tinubu posthumously honored notable figures such as Mrs. Kudirat Abiola, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and Prof. Humphrey Nwosu for their pivotal roles in Nigeria’s democratic journey. Kudirat Abiola, the late wife of June 12 election winner Chief MKO Abiola, was awarded the prestigious Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).
Dr. Maruf Alausa’s recognition not only highlights his enduring legacy in Nigeria’s political and education landscapes but also strengthens public confidence in the government’s ongoing reform efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
