Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, has been awarded the Most Innovative Cabinet Minister of the Year 2025 at the Silver Jubilee Awards organised by Independent Newspapers Limited in Lagos.
Alausa emerged as the winner after a competitive selection process involving cabinet ministers across sectors.
The award recognises leadership, innovation and measurable impact in public service delivery.
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In a statement by the Director of Press of the ministry, Boriowo Folashade, the minister expressed gratitude to Nigerians and the organisers, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to sustained transformation in the education sector.
“I sincerely thank Nigerians, the organisers and the judges for this honour. It reflects the collective effort to reposition education in our country. While we appreciate this recognition, it also reminds us that there is still much work to be done. This is only the beginning, and we remain fully committed to driving meaningful and lasting reforms that will secure a better future for every Nigerian child,” he said.
Boriowo stated that the Federal Ministry of Education also expressed its sincere appreciation to Independent Newspapers Limited for the honour, the distinguished panel of judges for their thorough and objective evaluation, and Nigerians across the country whose participation and support contributed to the outcome of the process.
“The recognition comes at a significant moment for Nigeria’s education sector, which is currently undergoing broad transformation under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI). The reform agenda focuses on expanding access, improving quality, strengthening equity and ensuring that the nation’s education system aligns more effectively with national development priorities.
“Several of the most notable areas of progress include the revitalisation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Through renewed emphasis on practical learning in technical colleges and skills centres, students are gaining hands-on competencies that improve employability and foster entrepreneurship. Through the TVET initiative, the Ministry is repositioning skills development as a credible pathway for economic productivity and sustainable growth,” she said.
According to her, the ministry has also strengthened investments in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences (STEMM) education through the Medical Schools Rehabilitation Programme and the Engineering and Technology Faculties Rehabilitation Programme at Federal Universities of Technology (FUTs) across the six geopolitical zones.
“These high-impact intervention projects are rehabilitating medical schools and engineering and technology faculties, while strengthening the training of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, engineers and technologists. Several federal institutions have already benefited from upgraded laboratories and hostels. These extensive rehabilitation efforts will help directly tackle the challenge of brain drain.
“Other initiatives such as the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG), which supports student innovations and helps transform them into scalable ventures, and Diaspora Bridge, which connects Nigerian professionals in the diaspora and at home with federal universities, are also expanding opportunities across the tertiary education system.
“Through targeted intervention programmes and innovation-driven initiatives, students are being equipped with the knowledge and practical skills required to drive research, technological advancement and national development,”Boriowo explained.
She stated that efforts to address the challenge of out-of-school children have equally intensified, stressing that through coordinated national strategies and inclusive education initiatives, more children are being integrated into structured learning systems, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.
Support for girls’ education remains a central pillar of the reform agenda, as ongoing programmes continue to expand opportunities through scholarships, mentorship and safer learning environments, helping to improve retention rates and enabling more girls to complete and advance in their education.
According to her, “Digital innovation is also playing a critical role in strengthening education delivery. The introduction of the Nigerian Education Data Infrastructure (NEDI), designed to track students, schools, facilities, teachers and out-of-school children through real-time monitoring dashboards, is improving planning, transparency and accountability across the sector. At the same time, the expansion of e-learning platforms is increasing access to quality instruction beyond traditional classrooms.
“Teachers remain at the centre of these reforms. Continuous investment in training, welfare support and modern teaching tools is enhancing their capacity to deliver quality education, while ongoing infrastructure upgrades are improving the overall learning environment in schools across the country.”
She added that these achievements have been strengthened through strategic collaboration with subnational governments, agencies, other ministries, development partners, international organisations and the private sector. Such partnerships continue to mobilise resources, expand opportunities and deepen the impact of education programmes nationwide.
The Federal Ministry of Education reiterated that this recognition serves as renewed motivation to accelerate reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The ministry stated that it remains committed to building a resilient, skills-driven and future-ready education system that will expand opportunities, strengthen human capital development and support Nigeria’s long-term economic growth.