The Presidency has stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has restored stability and industrial harmony within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, noting that the country is experiencing the first uninterrupted academic calendar in about three decades.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students’ Engagement, Hon. Sunday Asefon, made this known on Sunday in Abuja in a statement marking the president’s birthday while highlighting reforms aimed at improving the nation’s higher education system.
Asefon said he was pleased that more than 90 percent of students who gained admission into Nigerian universities in 2023, when President Tinubu assumed office, are expected to graduate this year, particularly those enrolled in four-year programmes.
He described the development as a demonstration of fulfilled commitments, stating that it represents a clear example of promises made and delivered.
Asefon pointed to several achievements under the administration, including the creation of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which he said has distributed over ₦206 billion to students across 270 institutions nationwide within a period of 23 months.
He also praised the signing of the 2025 Federal Government–ASUU Agreement, which he noted has resolved long-standing disputes that previously disrupted the operations of universities across the country.
In his birthday message, Asefon described President Tinubu as a statesman and a strong advocate for Nigerian youth and students, adding that his leadership continues to inspire young people to pursue their ambitions.
According to him, Nigerian students recognise a leader who believes in their abilities and is actively creating opportunities for them to succeed.
Asefon also expressed appreciation to the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, noting that he has gained the respect of Nigerian students for understanding their concerns and implementing reforms that directly impact their future.
He reaffirmed that Nigerian students remain committed to supporting the government’s renewed hope agenda and thanked the president for prioritising education, restoring stability within the university system, and ensuring that the aspirations of millions of young people are no longer delayed by academic disruptions.
The Minister of Education also supported this position, recalling that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked on at least 16 major strikes between 1999 and 2022, which led to more than 55 months of university closures.
According to him, strikes in tertiary institutions have now been reduced to zero, describing it as an achievement not recorded in more than thirty years.
Alausa stated that President Tinubu had promised that four years in office would translate to four uninterrupted academic years for students, a commitment he said the government has fulfilled.
He added that students who began their studies when President Tinubu was sworn in in 2023 are now graduating this year, describing the development as a milestone not witnessed in the country’s university system for decades.
