Education Minister Counsels Graduates

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has advised Nigerian graduates not to squander their academic investments by taking on low-paying, menial jobs such as cleaners or clerks overseas.

In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Alausa decried the growing trend of Nigerian youth abandoning their qualifications to pursue what he described as a “subhuman life” abroad.

“It’s not worth it for a university graduate, after the enormous personal investment you’ve made in your education, to travel to London only to end up as a cleaner or a clerk. It’s denigrating.

“If you stay here, be creative, and take ownership of your future, you will live a better life and more importantly, you will be contributing to your country and community,” he said.

Alausa revealed that foreigners were already recognising Nigeria’s potential and seizing the opportunities many locals ignored.

“Guess what is happening today? We have more Chinese, more Europeans, more Lebanese coming to Nigeria. Do you think they are coming because they like our faces? No. They see the opportunities here. But sadly, our youth are not seeing them,” he said.

The minister challenged young Nigerians to look inward rather than flee abroad in search of greener pastures.

“This is your country. This is your right. Don’t run away. Opportunities abound in Nigeria—so why are you running? Let’s not be lazy. Let’s think and begin to harness these opportunities. Ask yourself: why would a Chinese man or a Lebanese man want to come to Nigeria? They know what they’re looking for,” he asked.