‘We will overcome all challenges, work like a bricklayer’ – Education minister assures

Nigeria’s new Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, has assured of his commitment to overcoming all challenges in the sector.

Politics Nigeria learnt that shortly after their swearing-in on Monday, Mr Mamman and the Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, visited the ministry to interact with officials.

Addressing the staff and heads of education agencies and parastatals, Mr Mamman described the education ministry as being at the heart of Nigeria’s potential development.

He admitted that the expectation of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is enormous and promised to deliver on Nigerians’ expectations.

“The expectation is huge. It’s a lot for this government. Our president is committed fully to turning the tide in this country,” he said.

He, therefore, tasked the civil servants to assist him and Mr Sununu to move the sector forward.

He added that the welfare of the civil servants would be upheld under his watch.

He said, “I work like a bricklayer. How does a bricklayer work? Every day he goes to the site, the foreman gives him 100, 200 blocks to lay for that day.

“By the end of the day, he wants to see the building come up to a certain level. So in three months, six months, the house is built. We have to measure. We shall be working with KPIs.”

The new minister said that having spent between 35 and 40 years working in the government and private sector, he recognises that there are constraints, “but I can assure you as best as possible, we will pursue whatever is due to you as civil servants.”

“I am a committed welfarist,” he declared, adding, “We have to work together. I will emphasise this. I never carry any work on my head. If you have a duty, you have duties. Sometimes you can help your neighbour, your colleague, it’s a good thing to do”.