The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has officially dismissed reports suggesting he plans to resign from the Federal Executive Council to contest the Lagos State governorship. In a statement posted to his official X handle on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, Alausa characterised the reports as mere “rumours” and urged the public to disregard them. He clarified that his current focus remains entirely on his duties at the Federal Ministry of Education, where his team is “hard at work” implementing the administration’s sectoral reforms. This rebuttal follows weeks of intense media speculation linking the minister to the 2027 succession race in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
The rumours gained traction following the release of the 2027 election timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which scheduled party primaries for April and May 2027. Under current Nigerian law, political appointees seeking elective office are typically required to resign their positions ahead of party conventions to avoid conflicts of interest. Alausa’s denial is seen as an attempt to maintain stability within the education ministry as it prepares for several major national projects. Supporters of the minister have praised his dedication, noting that he has consistently prioritised the “Renewed Hope” agenda over personal political advancement.
Political analysts in Lagos have noted that the race for the State House in Ikeja is already heating up, with various factions within the ruling party positioning their preferred candidates. However, Alausa’s statement indicates that he does not wish to be considered a participant in the immediate maneuvering. The Minister has been instrumental in the recent overhaul of the national curriculum and the implementation of the student loan scheme, achievements that have bolstered his profile within the cabinet. By distancing himself from the governorship race now, he appears to be signaling his commitment to completing his ministerial term under President Bola Tinubu.
