Tinubu urges Nigerians to report local problems as part of education‑focused reforms

President Tinubu calls for community feedback

On 4 November 2026, President Bola Tinubu posted a long message on his verified X account, @OfficialPBAT, inviting Nigerians to tell him about problems that are not functioning properly in their local areas. He said that the feedback would help the government identify issues and work to resolve them.

The post also reiterated the president’s view that the country’s progress from reform to shared prosperity must start with education. He reminded readers of his own student days in the United States, where he worked as a taxi driver and in other jobs to pay for university. He used this personal anecdote to argue that no Nigerian should be denied education because of financial constraints.

Education reforms and NELFUND

Tinubu explained that the government’s NELFUND programme has already disbursed more than N372 billion in student loans, enabling young Nigerians to cover tuition and other fees. He highlighted that the programme has helped keep students in school and has supported a range of educational initiatives.

Other education measures mentioned in the post include:

* A technical‑vocational programme that has attracted 2.8 million applications. * Rehabilitation of 38 technical colleges, with free school fees, boarding, textbooks and uniforms for students in selected federal and state technical institutions. * A new agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that will increase academic staff salaries by 40 % and improve stability in universities. * A four‑year investment of N110 billion to rehabilitate 24 medical schools, and a rise in nursing enrolment from 28,000 to 115,000 and in medical and dental enrolment from 5,000 to 12,000. * The return of more than one million children to school, investment in teacher development, expansion of opportunities for girls, and the launch of a new national curriculum that restores Nigerian history.

Why it matters

The president’s appeal to citizens is aimed at improving local governance and accountability. By encouraging people to report problems, the administration hopes to target resources more effectively and address issues that may be hindering development at the community level.

The education reforms are intended to increase access to schooling, reduce dropout rates and build a skilled workforce. The NELFUND loans and the technical‑vocational programme are designed to remove financial barriers for students, while the investment in medical and nursing schools seeks to address shortages of health professionals.

The agreement with ASUU and the salary increase for academic staff are aimed at stabilising the higher‑education sector and attracting qualified teachers. The new curriculum and teacher development programmes are expected to improve the quality of education and ensure that students learn about Nigerian history and culture.

What happens next

Tinubu’s post did not specify any particular dates for the next steps of the programmes. However, the president’s call for feedback suggests that the administration will review the information received and determine how best to allocate resources to solve the identified problems.

The education initiatives mentioned are already underway, with funds already disbursed and institutions rehabilitated. The next phase will likely involve monitoring the impact of these programmes and adjusting policies as needed.

The president’s message also signals a continued focus on education as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s development strategy, with the Renewed Hope administration pledging to keep the country’s children in school and to build capacity in key sectors such as health and technology.