By Felix Khanoba
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has received the 2026 Sun Minister of the Year Award, dedicating the honour to Nigerian teachers, students and young people who remain central to the Federal Government’s efforts to transform the country’s education sector.
Alausa received the award at the 2026 Sun Awards ceremony held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, where he described the recognition as an endorsement of the collective efforts of stakeholders working to improve educational standards and expand learning opportunities across the country.
In his acceptance speech, the minister expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and leadership, noting that the administration’s recognition of education as a critical driver of human capital development had provided the foundation for far-reaching reforms in the sector.
A statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, quoted Alausa as describing the award as a reflection of the President’s determination to secure a better future for Nigerian children and young people through the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the administration remained committed to building an education system that guarantees quality learning, relevant skills and sustainable opportunities for Nigerians.
The minister also acknowledged the contributions of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, particularly her advocacy for education, children’s welfare and the protection of girls whose circumstances threaten their access to education and continued participation in learning.
Highlighting the administration’s ongoing reforms, Alausa said the Federal Ministry of Education was implementing the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), aimed at expanding access to education, improving teaching and learning, strengthening technical and vocational education, and promoting the use of reliable data in policy formulation and implementation.
He stressed that the government’s education agenda was not limited to increasing school enrolment but also ensuring that Nigerian children receive quality education comparable to international standards.
According to him, the ministry is also repositioning the education system to address unemployment and meet the country’s evolving economic needs through its philosophy of “Learn to Work, not just Teach to Learn.”
The minister explained that the initiative was designed to ensure that graduates acquire practical knowledge and relevant competencies capable of preparing them for decent employment, high-paying jobs and other productive opportunities.
He reiterated President Tinubu’s directive that every Nigerian child should have access to quality education that measures up to standards obtainable anywhere in the world.
Alausa maintained that this objective would continue to shape the ministry’s policies and programmes, stressing that the success of educational reforms should ultimately be determined by their impact on classroom learning and the future prospects of students.
Dedicating the award to teachers, the minister described them as critical partners in the country’s education transformation, acknowledging their sacrifices and commitment to raising future generations.
He also recognised Nigerian children and young people, noting that their aspirations remained a major motivation behind the ministry’s reform efforts.
The minister expressed appreciation to his family for their support and sacrifices, as well as friends who travelled from different parts of the country to celebrate the occasion. He equally acknowledged the contributions of partners in government, industry and civil society.
Alausa further commended the Board of Editors, management and staff of The Sun Publishing Limited for the recognition, praising the organisation for its coverage of government activities, particularly developments in education and other sectors of the economy.
Describing the award as both an encouragement and a call to greater responsibility, he assured Nigerians that the ministry would sustain its reform programmes, deepen stakeholder engagement and pursue measurable improvements in school access, learning outcomes and educational standards.
He added that the recognition would further strengthen the ministry’s resolve to build an education system that prepares young Nigerians for academic excellence, employment, innovation, entrepreneurship and meaningful contributions to national development.
The award comes amid the Federal Government’s renewed drive to make education a major instrument for human capital development, economic productivity and inclusive national growth under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
