By Muhammad Mamman
Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, is reportedly weighing resignation from the Federal Executive Council as he considers a bid for the governorship of Lagos State, according to sources familiar with internal discussions.
A senior government official, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, said Dr Alausa has been consulting political allies and key stakeholders over the possibility of entering the race ahead of the next electoral cycle.
While there has been no formal announcement from the minister or the presidency, the development has stirred conversations within political circles in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital.
If confirmed, the move would signal a significant political transition for Alausa, who has overseen policy initiatives within the education sector, including reforms aimed at strengthening tertiary institutions and improving regulatory oversight.
Political analysts say a resignation to pursue elective office would be consistent with Nigeria’s electoral laws and long-standing practice, which often require public office holders to step down before participating fully in partisan primaries.
Lagos State remains one of Nigeria’s most strategically important political battlegrounds, given its economic weight and symbolic influence in national politics. The governorship contest is expected to draw high-profile contenders across party lines.
Neither the Federal Ministry of Education nor the Presidency has issued an official statement at the time of publication.
