Crisis Brews At Nigerian Education Ministry Over Minister’s Alleged Authoritarian Decisions, Lack Of Transparency
Reports from sources in the Ministry alleged Alausa’s trend of authoritarianism, a lack of transparency, and misalignment of priorities.
There is disquiet at the Federal Ministry of Education and other key agencies over the leadership style of Dr Morufu Olatunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, as various stakeholders cautioned that the Nigerian education system could turn to shambles under him, SaharaReporters has gathered.
Reports from sources in the Ministry alleged Alausa’s trend of authoritarianism, a lack of transparency, and misalignment of priorities.
According to one of the sources, who spoke to SaharaReporters on Wednesday, one of the most alarming aspects of the minister’s approach was his inability to engage fully with all heads of agencies, leading to isolation.
Citing specific issues, one of the ministry sources explained that Alausa’s failure to recognise 10 out of the 24 heads of agencies within the Education ministry raised questions about his understanding of the sector.
“Additionally, his aides appear to be instilling fear among these agency heads, potentially threatening their positions and creating an atmosphere of uncertainty,” said the source. “This situation undermines the stability of the education system”.
The minister’s emphasis on directing more funding towards Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), after replacing its head, instead of prioritising policies beneficial for children also raised the eyebrows, the source noted.
“This shift has prompted concerns about the minister’s true commitment to the educational sector beyond mere financial considerations.
“Moreover, Alausa”s frequent changes without consultation or the formation of committees, further undermines transparency and accountability. This opacity is detrimental to the overall functioning of the education system,” another source warned.
Another source questioned whether the minister as a medical professional with no prior background in education, possesses the expertise necessary to make informed decisions for the sector.
“The feeling is that the minister is close to the President and unconcerned about public opinion. This has emboldened the Minister, giving him an autocratic approach,” the source stated.
“The collective impact of these factors creates fear and tension among various stakeholders within the education sector. From TETFund to the Almajiri Commission, there is a sense of unease regarding potential dismissals and replacements.
“This climate of fear and instability undermines the stability and confidence in the sector.
“Lastly, the disregard for established institutional processes, coupled with a lack of respect for permanent secretaries’, directors’, and other stakeholders’ views, is alarming. This attitude is not conducive to promoting effective governance and further erodes the foundation of the education system,” the source cautioned.
Meanwhile SaharaReporters’ efforts to speak with the Minister over the concerns were unsuccessful as he didn’t take his calls as at time of filing this report.
SaharaReporters last week reported that after backlash, the minister refuted claims that the Nigerian government had abolished junior and senior secondary schools from the country’s education system.
While addressing the press on Friday, Alausa had denied the reports but confirmed plans to introduce a 12-year compulsory basic education model.
The minister’s remarks were in response to circulating reports from Thursday, which claimed that the Nigerian government had eliminated the junior and senior secondary model from Nigeria’s basic education system.
It was also reported that the Nigerian government had urged the National Council on Education (NCE) to replace Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) and Senior Secondary Schools (SSS) with a mandatory 12-year uninterrupted basic education programme.
This move would signify the end of the 6-3-3-4 education system and the adoption of the 12-4 model in the country. This new model entails 12 years of uninterrupted basic education followed by 4 years of university (tertiary) education.
Alausa reportedly proposed this change during the 2025 extraordinary National Council on Education meeting.
He also reportedly sought the National Council on Education’s (NCE) approval to officially set 16 years as the minimum entry age for the country’s tertiary institutions.
Last Thursday, SaharaReporters reported that Alausa had come up with a proposal to alter the current Nigerian education system and place the three-year senior secondary school level under the Universal Basic Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
SaharaReporters learnt that Alausa, appointed by President Bola Tinubu in October 2024, to the federal education ministry, put forward the proposal at the 2025 Extra-ordinary National Council on Education meeting in Abuja.
SaharaReporters gathered that one of the key motives behind the proposal to place the senior secondary school level under UBEC is to allocate more funds to the commission.
Some of the inside sources at the deliberation confirmed to SaharaReporters that the education minister was insistent on implementing the new proposal to favour the UBEC Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, even though state Commissioners of Education expressed their reservations at the strategic meeting.
President Tinubu appointed Ms Garba, as the new Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission in December 2024, replacing Hammid Bobboyi who spent many years at the commission.
“The body language of the minister and all his efforts are to just empower UBEC against the Nigerian state. He is proposing an increased funding for UBEC, all in a bid to push his agenda,” a top source had revealed to SaharaReporters on Thursday.
