Have you ever wondered who heads the education sector in Nigeria? You’re not alone. With frequent cabinet reshuffles and restructuring in the government, it can be tricky to keep up with who is currently overseeing Nigeria’s educational system and policies. But don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. The current Minister of Education in Nigeria is a Professor; he was appointed Minister of Education in 2023 under President Bola Tinubu. He aims to refocus Nigeria’s education system to better prepare students for the 21st-century job market. Keep reading to learn more about Nigeria’s education minister, background, priorities, and educational vision.

Who is the minister of Education in Nigeria?

So, do you want to know who Nigeria’s Minister of Education is? No problem, I’ve got you covered. The current Minister of Education in Nigeria is Professor Tahir Mamman.

Professor Tahir Mamman was appointed as Minister of Education in 2023 by President Muhammadu Bola Tinubu. He oversees Nigeria’s primary, secondary and tertiary education as a minister. This includes oversight of policies, coordination and supervision of education in Nigeria.

Some of the major responsibilities of the Minister of Education include:

-Overseeing the development of curricula

-Setting and enforcing educational policies and standards. You establish guidelines around curriculum, teacher qualifications, school facilities, and more. The policies you put in place will shape students’ futures.

-Ensuring the provision of infrastructure and facilities in schools

-Promoting literacy and lifelong learning

-Representing Nigeria’s education system on the global stage. You engage with international education organizations and work with other countries to improve education in Nigeria. What you do reflects on Nigeria, so strong leadership and diplomacy skills are essential.

– Addressing challenges and opportunities. There are many difficulties facing education in Nigeria, like poverty, lack of resources, and overcrowding. But with challenges come opportunities to enact change and make a difference. Creative problem-solving and a vision for progress will serve you well.

The Ministry of Education aims to provide Nigerians with quality and accessible education, including nomadic and migrant children and those with special needs. The ministry also promotes science, technical and vocational education to drive Nigeria’s economic growth and development.

With over 60 million students, the Nigerian education system faces many challenges like lack of funding, inadequate infrastructure and low enrollment rates. The Minister of Education is pivotal in addressing these challenges and ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all Nigerians.

Who Is Professor Tahir Mamman?

Professor Tahir Mamman is the current Minister of Education in Nigeria. Appointed in 2015, Adamu oversees the Ministry of Education, which is responsible for education in Nigeria from primary school through university.

He is Adamawa State’s first Senior Advocate and a recipient of the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger.

2014 he ran for Adamawa state governor on the All Progressives Congress platform.

Mamman is the Vice Chancellor of Baze University, Abuja, a private tertiary institution established in 2011 by Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.

From 2005 to 2013, he was the Director General of the Nigerian Law School.

Mamman is the chief of the Dan Ruwata Adamawa Emirate and the Dokajin Mubi of Adamawa State.

His appointment as Minister of Education was praised, given his background and passion for education.

His leadership as Minister of Education, working with government and private organizations, is key to enacting meaningful reforms and ensuring all Nigerian children have access to quality education.

Tahir Mamman’s Early Life and Education

Mamman was born on July 7, 1954, and earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from Ahmadu Bello University in 1983.

He received his MSc and Ph.D. from the University of Warwick in England.

Tahir Mamman Publication

Nigeria’s constitution-making politics and legislation, 1862–1989: difficulties, compromises, and conflicts. Ed. ; Ed-Linform Services, Maiduguri Heaney N., Mamman M., Tahir H., Al-Gharib A., and Lin C. 1998 Nigerian Constitutional law, OCLC 1124151500, ISBN 978314961X, 9783149618, 7493122309 is the unique ID.

Problems, concessions, and political and legal aspects of Nigeria’s constitution-making process from 1900 to 1989. 1991, Ph.D. in political science and law from the University of Warwick. Academic theses by Tahir Mamman, OCLC 53541742

Professor Tahir Mamman’s Career Before Becoming Minister of Education

He began lecturing at the University of Maiduguri’s Faculty of Law and eventually rose to the position of Dean. Mamman served as a judge in Adamawa State from 1974 to 1984, as the head of the common law department at the University of Maiduguri from 1991 to 1997, as a member of the Local Government Election Tribunal in Adamawa State in 1997, as the dean of students affairs at the University of Maiduguri from 1997 to 2000, and as a part-time adviser to the State Houses of Assembly in Adamawa, Yobe, and Borno from 1999 to 2000.

In addition, he was a member of the Adamawa State University steering committee, an external examiner at Ahmadu Bello University from 2001 to 2002, and a patron of the Youth Federation of Nigeria and the Nigerian Youth Organization at the University of Maiduguri. Before becoming director general, he was the deputy director of the Nigeria Law School’s Kano campus from 2001 to 2005.

He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers, the Commonwealth Legal Education Association, the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction in the United States, the Nigerian Association of Vice Chancellors, the United Kingdom Centre for Legal Education, the African Network of Constitutional Lawyers, the International Bar Association, and the Body of Senior Advocates.

Appointment as Minister of Education Under Tinubu

Prof. Tahir was appointed as the Minister of Education by President Bola Tinubu in August 2023, along with 47 other people. As minister, Tahir Mamman oversees the Ministry of Education in Nigeria and is responsible for developing and implementing education plans and programs in Nigeria.

Overall, Prof Tahir Mamman brought a diverse range of experiences to the role of Minister of Education. His Educational, political and public intellectual background has given him a critical and reformist voice. At the same time, his long career in government and politics has equipped him with practical experience in administration and policymaking. This combination of idealism and pragmatism will shape Prof Tahir’s leadership of the education ministry.

List of all Ministers Of Education In Nigeria

It is helpful to know the history of past ministers. Nigerian Education Ministers, including Ministers of State for Education, are:

Aja Nwachukwu (1958 to 1965)
Richard Akinjide (1965 to 1967)
Wenike Briggs (1967 to 1970)
A. Y. Eke (1970 to 1975)
Ahmadu Ali (1975 to 1978)
G. B. Leton (1978 to 1979)
Sylvester Ugoh (1979 to 1982)
Bala Usman (1979 to 1982)
Elizabeth Iyase (1979 to 1982)
I. C. Madubuike (1982 to 1983)
L. A. Bamigbaiye (1982 to 1983)
Sunday Afolabi (September to December 1983)
Alhaji Y. Abdullahi (1984 to 1985)
Alhaji Ibrahim (1985)
Jubril Aminu (1985 to 1989)
Babs Fafunwa (1990 to 1992)
Ben Nwabueze (January 1993 to August 1993)
A. I. Imogie (January 1993 to November 1993)
Alhaji Dongodaji (January 1993 to January 1994)
Iyorchia Ayu (January 1994 to February 1995)
Wada Nas (January 1995 to February 1995)
M. T. Liman (February 1995 to December 1997)
Iyabo Anisulowo (February 1997 to December 1997)
Dauda Birmah (December 1997 to June 1998)
A. N. Achunine (December 1997 to June 1998)
Olaiya Oni (August 1998 to May 1999)
Alhaji S. Saadu (August 1998 to May 1999)
Tunde Adeniran (June 1999 to January 2001)
Lawam Batagarawa (June 1999 to 2001)
Babalola Borishade (February 2001 to June 2003)
Bello Usman (February 2001 to June 2003)
F. N. C. Osuji (July 2003 to February 2005)
Hajia Bintu Musa (July 2003 to June 2005)
Chinwe Obaji (June 2005 to June 2006)
Halima Tayo Alao (June 2005 to 2006)
Grace Ogwuche (February 2006 to June 2006)
Oby Ezekwesili (June 2006 to April 2007)
Sayadi Abba Ruma (June 2006 to April 2007)
Adewunmi Abitoye (June 2006 to May 2007)
Igwe Aja Nwachukwu (June 2007 to December 2008)
Jerry Agada (June 2007 to December 2008)
Aishatu Jibril Dukku (June 2007 – 2010)
Sam Egwu (December 2008 to March 2010)
Ruqqayat Rufai (April 2010 – September 2013)
Ibrahim Shekarau (2014 – 2015)[2]
Adamu Adamu (November 2015 – 2023)
Professor Tahir Mamman (August 2023 – Present)

There have been many Ministers of Education in Nigeria’s history, each contributing to the gradual progress and shaping of the country’s education system over the decades since independence. The current minister continues the important work of expanding access, improving quality and strengthening outcomes at all levels of education.

Conclusion

So there you have it: the current Minister of Education in Nigeria is Professor Tahir Mamman. While the ministry has faced many challenges recently, Adamu seems determined to make positive changes and improve education for Nigeria’s youth. His goals to increase enrollment, improve teacher training, and revamp curricula are admirable and necessary for the country’s progress.