Minister of education Tunji Alausa urges youths to reshape Nigeria’s image

Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has called on young Nigerians to avoid amplifying negative narratives about the country, warning that such discourse could undermine investor confidence and limit economic opportunities.

He made the remarks on the sidelines of the flag-off ceremony for a 1,500-bed student hostel project at Yaba College of Technology in Lagos, where he also highlighted ongoing government efforts to strengthen the education sector and expand student infrastructure.

Alausa cautioned that persistent pessimism, especially on social media, can damage Nigeria’s global image and inadvertently restrict opportunities for citizens themselves.

“When you continue to project negativity, you undermine the image of the country and, in the process, limit opportunities for yourselves and others across various sectors,” he said.

While acknowledging the country’s challenges, the minister argued that Nigeria still holds significant untapped potential, urging young people to focus on identifying and leveraging growth opportunities.

Youth central to national development

Positioning young Nigerians as critical to the country’s future, Alausa said the administration of Bola Tinubu remains committed to youth development through both policy direction and financial investment.

He described youths as “the heartbeat of the nation,” noting that their role in driving innovation, economic growth, and social transformation cannot be overstated.

According to him, sustained investment in education and youth empowerment will determine Nigeria’s long-term competitiveness and stability.

The event also marked the commencement of a major student housing project facilitated by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund under a public-private partnership arrangement.

The project, being executed in collaboration with Integrated Projects Hostel Development, is part of broader efforts to address infrastructure deficits in tertiary institutions.

Alausa said the federal government, through TETFund, has rolled out a five-point agenda targeting the rehabilitation and expansion of critical facilities, including hostels, lecture theatres, classrooms, and auditoriums.

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While the minister’s call for more positive storytelling reflects growing concern within government circles about Nigeria’s global perception, it also comes amid ongoing reforms aimed at improving education outcomes and student welfare.

The emphasis, he suggested, is not just on changing the narrative but backing it with tangible improvements that can reposition the sector, and the country, over time.