Alausa urges diaspora Nigerians to support education reforms

The minister of education, Dr. Tunji Alausa has called for stronger partnerships with Nigerians in the diaspora to support education reforms, research, innovation and technology transfer, saying their expertise could help strengthen Nigeria’s human capital and accelerate national development.

Alausa made the call in a statement released on Friday and signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah.

According to the statement, the minister spoke in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, at the grand finale of the African Cultural Festival, held under the theme, “The Great Reunion: Culture, Education, and Collaboration.”

The minister urged Nigerian academics, researchers, professionals and institutions abroad to become more actively involved in the transformation of the country’s education sector through mentorship, research collaboration, specialised lectures, curriculum development, institutional partnerships and technology transfer.

He specifically encouraged diaspora professionals to participate in the BRIDGE programme, Bridging Research, Innovation, Development and Global Expertise—which is aimed at connecting Nigerian institutions with global expertise.

Alausa said contributing to Nigeria’s development did not require Nigerians abroad to permanently relocate to the country.

“Contributing to national development does not require permanent relocation,” he said, noting that Nigerians in the diaspora could make meaningful contributions through both physical and virtual engagement.

“This represents the essence of the festival’s ‘Great Reunion’—reconnecting Africa and its global community through education, culture, innovation and purposeful collaboration,” the minister added.

Alausa said the Federal Government’s education transformation agenda covered the entire education value chain, from basic and secondary education to technical, vocational and tertiary education.

He identified the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, expanded technical and vocational training, curriculum modernisation, medical education, teacher development, and investments in laboratories, simulation centres, hostels and other critical infrastructure as key elements of the government’s efforts to improve access, quality, relevance and employability within the education system.

The minister said the reforms were ultimately aimed at preparing Nigerian young people for a rapidly changing global economy.

He said the diaspora could complement these efforts by providing specialised knowledge and linking Nigerian institutions to international research networks, emerging technologies and global best practices.

Alausa urged diaspora professionals to mentor students and young academics, contribute to research, deliver specialised lectures, support curriculum development and facilitate the transfer of emerging technologies to Nigeria.

His comments come against the backdrop of the Federal Government’s increasing emphasis on technical and vocational education, digitalisation and stronger links between universities and industry.

The Federal Ministry of Education has also been pursuing international partnerships aimed at exposing Nigerian students and institutions to practical approaches in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

During a recent visit to Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, Alausa said international education partnerships should go beyond access to foreign qualifications to include knowledge exchange, research, faculty development and technology transfer. (Harrisburg University)

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He said, “Transnational Education should go beyond access to foreign qualifications,” stressing the need for partnerships to promote “knowledge exchange, research and innovation, faculty development, technology transfer and stronger university-industry linkages.” (Harrisburg University)

The minister had also identified artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, robotics, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology and health sciences as areas where international partnerships could strengthen practical learning and research capacity in Nigerian universities. (Harrisburg University)

According to him, “Partnerships in these fields have the potential to strengthen laboratory-based learning, build faculty capacity, expand research opportunities and equip Nigerian graduates with practical skills aligned with industry requirements and the demands of the digital economy.” (Harrisburg University)

At the African Cultural Festival, Alausa also engaged with DuduPlugs, an initiative focused on helping young Africans develop their talents, culture, ideas and intellectual property while strengthening connections between Nigerian talent and the global community.

Speaking on the engagement, Leila Steinberg expressed appreciation to the minister for making time to meet with the DuduPlugs team.

She said the engagement was significant given her longstanding interest in Africa and more than 35 years of work with young people, emotional literacy, creativity, leadership and access to opportunity.

Steinberg said DuduPlugs sought to “help young Africans develop and benefit from their talents, culture, ideas and intellectual property while strengthening connections between Nigerian talent and the global community.”

The Chief Executive Officer of DuduPlugs, Wole Adeniyi, described the engagement as an important opportunity for cultural diplomacy and educational collaboration between Nigeria and the United States.

Adeniyi said DuduPlugs would build on the engagement by developing a legacy programme focused on “technology transfer, modern innovation and robotics for Nigerians.”

He said the organisation would work with collaborators including Blake Walker, Leila Steinberg, Femi Ojetunde, Dana Sims and Jody David Armour to explore sustainable partnerships within the education sector.

The minister’s engagement in Harrisburg also coincided with his recognition by the African Cultural Festival as its 2026 “Man of the Year” and the presentation of the Key to the City of Harrisburg.

Alausa dedicated the recognition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, education-sector officials and stakeholders, and Nigerian children and young people, saying the honour reflected the collective work being undertaken to transform the education sector.

The recognition, however, provided a platform for the minister to further push the case for greater diaspora participation in Nigeria’s education development.

Alausa said the Federal Ministry of Education would continue to create avenues for Nigerians at home and abroad to contribute to national development.

He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to reforms that expand educational opportunities, strengthen skills, improve quality and relevance, and equip Nigerian young people to compete and contribute in the global economy.

The minister said education remained a shared national responsibility requiring government, educators, industry, communities and the diaspora to contribute knowledge, expertise, innovation and resources.