The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa has called for stronger partnerships between Nigeria and its people in diaspora to accelerate education reform, research, innovation, technology transfer and human capital development.
Alausa made the call while being honoured as the 2026 “Man of the Year” by the African Cultural Festival (ACF), and the presentation of the Key to the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA in recognition of his leadership and contributions to education and human capital development.
The theme of the event is: “The Great Reunion: Culture, Education, and Collaboration.”
Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah in a statement noted that the presentation of the Key to the City, alongside the ACF 2026 “Man of the Year” honour was a thoughtful combination to make the event colourful.
He said the two-in-one approach added special civic dimension to the recognition, underscoring the significance of the Minister’s engagement with the city and the wider Nigerian and African diaspora community.
The Minister while receiving the award described the recognition as a reflection of the collective work being undertaken to transform Nigeria’s education sector and dedicated the award to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, education-sector officials and stakeholders in the education sector.
He also acknowledged Nigerian children and young people whose aspirations remain at the heart of the reform agenda.
“Nigeria’s education transformation agenda covers the entire education value chain, from basic and secondary education to technical, vocational and tertiary education,” he said.
Broader Effort
Dr. Alausa also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, expanded technical and vocational training, curriculum modernisation, medical education, teacher development, and investments in laboratories, simulation centres, hostels and other critical infrastructure as key elements of the Federal Government’s broader effort to improve access, quality, relevance and employability within the education system.
Beyond the reforms being implemented within Nigeria, Dr. Alausa emphasised the importance of mobilising the expertise, networks and resources of Nigerians in the diaspora to complement national efforts in education, research and innovation.
He urged diaspora professionals, academics, researchers and institutions to participate actively in the BRIDGE (Bridging Research, Innovation, Development and Global Expertise) programme, through which they can mentor students and young academics, contribute to research, deliver specialised lectures, support curriculum development, establish institutional partnerships and facilitate the transfer of emerging technologies and global best practices to Nigeria.
The Minister stressed that contributing to national development does not require permanent relocation, noting that Nigerians in the diaspora can make meaningful contributions through both physical and virtual engagement.
According to him, this represents the essence of the festival’s “Great Reunion” – reconnecting Africa and its global community through education, culture, innovation and purposeful collaboration.
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Education’s commitment to reforms that expand educational opportunity, strengthen skills, improve quality and relevance, and equip Nigerian young people to compete and contribute in a rapidly changing global economy.
He further gave assurance that the Ministry would continue to create avenues for Nigerians at home and abroad to contribute to national development, while strengthening partnerships that connect Nigeria’s education system to global knowledge, innovation, technology and opportunities.
Speaking on the Minister’s engagement with the DuduPlugs team, Leila Steinberg expressed appreciation to Dr. Alausa for making time to meet with the team and for the opportunity to present its vision.
She said the engagement was particularly meaningful given her longstanding interest in Africa and more than 35 years of work with young people, emotional literacy, creativity, leadership and access to opportunity.
She stated that DuduPlugs seeks to help young Africans develop and benefit from their talents, culture, ideas and intellectual property while strengthening connections between Nigerian talent and the global community.
Cultural Diplomacy
Also speaking, the CEO of DuduPlugs, Wole Adeniyi thanked the Minister for attending the African Cultural Festival, describing the engagement as an important moment for cultural diplomacy and educational collaboration between Nigeria and the United States.
He said DuduPlugs would build on the engagement by developing a legacy programme focused on technology transfer, modern innovation and robotics for Nigerians, while working with collaborators including Blake Walker, Leila Steinberg, Femi Ojetunde, Dana Sims and Jody David Armour to explore sustainable partnerships within the education sector.
The Minister also acknowledged the institutions, public officials and individuals whose support contributed to the success of the festival, including the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Speaker Hon. Joanna McClinton; the City of Harrisburg and Mayor Hon. Wanda Williams; DuduPlugs and the African Cultural Festival Team under the leadership of Wole Adeniyi; Goke Adeniyi; Leila Steinberg; Blake Walker; Femi Ojetunde; Dana Sims; Ms. Phyllis Bennett; Kelly Summerford; Carol Kazeem of Delaware; and Segun Adeyina of Georgia.
The engagement underscored the growing opportunity for Nigerians and institutions abroad to become active partners in the transformation of Nigeria’s education sector. For the Minister, education is a shared national responsibility requiring government, educators, industry, communities and the diaspora to contribute knowledge, expertise, innovation and resources.
