By Ifeoluwa Odunayo
The Federal Government has rolled out major reforms in the education and aviation sectors, announcing groundbreaking initiatives aimed at modernization and efficiency.
At the Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Education Minister Dr. Yusuf Alausa revealed that ₦42.8 billion in student loans had been disbursed to 440 applicants under the Hope Education Initiative.
Additionally, ₦40 billion has been allocated for the rehabilitation of the National Library.
The government plans to renovate 195,000 classrooms, build 7,000 new ones, provide essential learning materials, and construct sports centers in schools.
To modernize education, Alausa announced a shift to AI-powered digital learning and the deployment of electric buses for student unions in select universities.
In the aviation sector, Minister Festus Keyamo highlighted the resolution of diplomatic issues with the UAE, paving the way for Emirates flights to resume.
Under a new Bilateral Air Services Agreement, Air Peace will commence operations from Calabar to Dubai.
Keyamo also disclosed that Hajj terminals nationwide have been upgraded, and efforts are underway to curb illegal charter flights, which have cost Nigeria ₦120 billion in revenue losses.
He further announced that Abuja and Port Harcourt airports have been ranked as the best in Africa, while Boeing has signed an MOU with Nigeria for aircraft acquisitions and improved safety measures.
A significant policy in the works is the Fly Nigeria Act, which will require all government-funded international travel to prioritize local airlines over foreign carriers.
With these sweeping reforms, the government aims to position Nigeria’s education and aviation sectors for global competitiveness and sustainability.
