The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has described President Bola Tinubu as a “genius”, praising his academic background and international exposure while defending his leadership and educational credentials.
Alausa made the remarks on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he addressed questions surrounding the president’s academic qualifications and his administration’s performance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The minister argued that Tinubu’s educational experience in the United States had given him valuable exposure and prepared him to address Nigeria’s development challenges.
He also dismissed criticisms of the president’s academic history, describing allegations raised by opposition figures as unfounded.
Alausa, who said he had studied and worked in the United States, particularly in Chicago, claimed to have visited Chicago State University several times and interacted with people he identified as Tinubu’s former classmates.
He said his nearly 30 years of experience living in Chicago had given him familiarity with the institution and its academic environment.
Speaking about the president’s intellectual ability, the minister said, “Oh, he’s a genius. Let’s not talk about the capability of this president alone. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is literally a genius.”
Alausa also defended the administration’s economic and development policies, arguing that the president was working to address longstanding national challenges through reforms and increased investment in research and development.
He particularly highlighted a proposed funding arrangement that would provide nearly $500 million annually to support research and development activities across the country.
According to the minister, the proposed funding would help strengthen Nigeria’s research institutions, encourage innovation and ensure that academic discoveries are converted into practical solutions.
He said the initiative would also support job creation and address challenges in important sectors, including healthcare, education, agriculture and infrastructure.
Alausa explained that the proposed funding would be provided through a first-line charge, creating a dedicated source of financing for research and development rather than relying entirely on irregular government allocations.
However, he clarified that the proposal had not yet become law, as the bill was still undergoing legislative consideration and had reached its third reading stage.
The education minister commended the National Assembly leadership for supporting the proposed legislation, specifically acknowledging Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.
He expressed optimism that the proposed legislation would establish a stronger research funding framework and improve Nigeria’s ability to translate scientific knowledge into economic and social benefits.
