In an era where low-knowledge political appointment is spotted as a driver responsible for the backward movement of Nigeria’s governance frameworks.
Nigeria’s public institutions are often managed by individuals with little connection and exposure to relevant policies surrounding their political appointments. Dr. Tunji Alausa offers a compelling exception from the norm.
A physician and nephrologist by training, Alausa’s transfered from the Ministry of State for Health and Social Welfare to the Federal Ministry of Education in October 2024 raised eyebrows—especially given that he held no formal qualifications in education. But what he lacked in academic credentials for the role, he has more than compensated for with vision, pragmatism, policy exposure and an unrelenting drive for reform.
Since assuming office, Alausa has spearheaded a major curriculum reform that integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) into teaching and learning processes—a bold move placing Nigeria on the path to becoming digitally competitive. But he didn’t stop there.
Alausa’s reformist streak also extends to the tertiary level. Rejecting the trend of political patronage through the proliferation of poorly equipped institutions, he has called on the National Assembly to halt the creation of new universities and capped admission quota as a criteria for TETFund intervention. He has redirected the federal government priority to strengthen existing tertiary institutions with focus on infrastructure and capacity
In response to the persistent crisis of out-of-school children, Alausa partnered with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to launch conditional cash transfers. This initiative provides financial support to low-income families, incentivizing school attendance and fostering long-term human capital development.
What directed my attention to his policies is his recommendation that the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) fully migrate to online learning, leaving traditional universities to focus on in-person education. While controversial, this proposal demonstrates a nuanced understanding of educational delivery models, technological capacity, and student diversity.
What makes all this more remarkable is that Alausa is not a career educationist. Yet, he has outperformed many predecessors—thanks to his policy clarity and evidence-based approach.
His success raises fundamental questions about why other states in Nigeria fail in political selection process and Lagos State always get it right. In most states, technocrats often lose out to party loyalists with minimal policy exposure or sectoral experience.
Too often, ministers are chosen not for their expertise, but for their loyalty, ethnic ties, or financial influence.
They may excel at rallies and political mobilization but flounder in governance—over-relying on consultants and donor-driven templates that rarely reflect Nigeria’s complex realities.
Alausa breaks this mold. Twice named among “America’s Best Physicians” (2007, 2012), he brings a global mindset to a local challenge. His reforms echo the legacy of Kader Asmal, South Africa’s revered Minister of Education (1999–2004), who dismantled apartheid-era disparities through value-based and inclusive educational policies.
If this trajectory continues, Dr. Alausa’s name will join the ranks of visionary public servants (Akunyili Dora as the DG of NAFDAC, Malam El Rufai as the Minister of FCT), who didn’t just manage a ministry or Agency—they reshaped it.
For a nation often trapped in short-term political cycles and underwhelming appointments, Dr. Tunji Alausa stands out—not just as a minister, perhaps the clearest proof yet that Nigeria works best when successful technocrats leads vital sectors of governance.