Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has said that school fees abroad are more expensive than those in Nigeria, urging young Nigerians to conduct proper research before making decisions to migrate.Adventure activities

Speaking during a panel session on Channels Television, the minister addressed questions from young Nigerians about the impact of President Bola Tinubu’s policies. He emphasised that many youths follow trends blindly without considering long-term consequences.

Olawande pointed to the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a clear indication that the current administration is prioritising the future of the nation’s youth.

“This is the first time a President is making it clear that no student should drop out of school due to inability to pay fees. That’s a major plus for Nigerian students,” he said.

He noted that President Tinubu’s efforts to provide student loans and secure job opportunities after graduation reflect a vision for long-term development.

“For a president to think like that, you know he’s looking at the future. The same government is working to ensure that after school, you can get a job and be able to pay back the loan,” Olawande added.

He further remarked that many foreign countries which young Nigerians migrate to—often referred to as “japa” destinations—also rely on similar education loan systems, but with even higher tuition costs.

“Most of these countries that you japa to, that’s the same thing they do. Even their school fees is more expensive,” he said.