Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to educational reform, describing the President’s policies as transformative and inclusive.
Dogara made these remarks on Thursday while delivering a Special Public Lecture titled “Empowering the Future Generation: The Founders’ Vision and Legacy” at the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State. The lecture was part of the week-long activities marking the university’s 9th Convocation Ceremony.
Highlighting the importance of education in national development, Dogara commended President Tinubu for the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), noting that the initiative has given renewed hope to many underprivileged students across the country.
“Education remains our most powerful weapon against poverty, ignorance and underdevelopment,” Dogara said. “It is the idea of planting seeds of hope, creating pathways to opportunity, and building a place where talents are refined and human potential is unlocked.”
The former Speaker noted that under the NELFUND scheme, the federal government had already disbursed ₦99.5 billion in interest-free loans to support tuition fees and upkeep allowances for indigent students.
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“As we speak, and as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Mr President has prioritised inclusivity and equity in access to education,” he continued. “We are witnessing the gradual dismantling of systemic barriers, particularly for marginalised groups such as women and persons with disabilities.”
Dogara further stated that the President’s educational agenda reflects a genuine commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian youth—regardless of background—has access to quality education. He challenged critics of the administration’s education policies to consider the far-reaching impact of the reforms.
“To those who have often wondered why I promote President Tinubu’s education policies, you have found one of the answers,” Dogara said. “Why would any sensible person who has benefited immensely from education do otherwise?”
Turning his attention to the graduands, Dogara urged them to leverage their education to address Nigeria’s pressing challenges, encouraging them to cultivate a global outlook while remaining rooted in local realities.
“Think globally but act locally. While embracing international best practices, never forget your roots,” he advised. “The solutions to Africa’s problems must be African-led, though globally informed.”
He also encouraged the students to pursue innovation, entrepreneurship, lifelong learning, and ethical leadership, adding that they have a duty to be good ambassadors of the university.
The lecture comes amid efforts by NELFUND to streamline access to its services, with the agency recently announcing a final window for tertiary institutions to complete student verification. This was disclosed in a statement by the Fund’s Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, in Abuja.
President Tinubu’s education policies have continued to generate public discourse, particularly with the rollout of NELFUND as a central feature of the administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.
