Former Speaker Yakubu Dogara Stirs Debate as He Praises Tinubu’s Education Policies, Says “Nigeria Has Never Had It This Good”

Yakubu Dogara, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has ignited political debate after he praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s education policies, calling them “the most inclusive and impactful in Nigeria’s history.” Dogara, who was once a fierce critic of government inefficiency, surprised many observers with his sudden endorsement of Tinubu’s approach to education.

Speaking in Abuja during an education stakeholders’ forum, Dogara said Tinubu’s administration had “done more for the ordinary Nigerian student in one year than some governments did in eight.” He pointed to ongoing reforms in basic and tertiary education as evidence of Tinubu’s seriousness about human capital development. “The President’s education policies have restored hope to millions of young Nigerians who had been forgotten by the system,” Dogara said.

His comments have since triggered a mix of praise and outrage on social media. While supporters hailed him for acknowledging visible progress, critics accused Dogara of political opportunism and “trying to curry favor with the current administration.” One political analyst described his statement as “a calculated alignment with power disguised as patriotism.”

Yakubu Dogara Says Tinubu’s Education Agenda Has Outperformed Past Administrations

Yakubu Dogara went further to compare President Tinubu’s education policies favorably against those of previous administrations, saying the current government had “introduced the first genuine reforms that prioritize inclusion and accountability.” He claimed that under Tinubu, education funding had been “strategically restructured to favor merit, access, and innovation.”

“The Tinubu administration is not just funding education—it’s redefining it,” Dogara declared. “From the student loan program to investments in vocational and digital education, this government has proven that leadership is about action, not excuses.” His comments drew sharp criticism from opposition figures who accused him of exaggerating the government’s achievements in a bid to regain political relevance.

Critics argue that the reality on the ground tells a different story, with strikes, funding shortages, and poor infrastructure still plaguing many institutions. “It’s laughable to call this the best era for education when teachers are underpaid and students are dropping out due to hardship,” said one university lecturer reacting online. But Dogara maintained that reforms take time and that Tinubu’s foundation will yield results in the coming years.

Yakubu Dogara Challenges Opposition, Says Critics Are “Blinded by Politics”

Yakubu Dogara fired back at those criticizing his remarks, accusing them of allowing partisanship to overshadow progress. He said the opposition was “so obsessed with discrediting Tinubu that they cannot acknowledge genuine improvements.” Dogara insisted that the government’s education initiatives—such as digital classrooms, scholarship expansion, and infrastructure renewal—were already making measurable impact nationwide.

“This is not about party lines; it’s about results,” Dogara stated. “We cannot keep playing politics with our children’s future. Anyone who denies the progress under Tinubu is simply blinded by bias.” He also urged state governments to align with the federal education reforms to ensure uniform growth across the nation.

However, his comments have continued to spark backlash among critics who say his tone echoes that of ruling party loyalists rather than an independent statesman. “Dogara has crossed from the opposition into the chorus line,” one commentator wrote. Others argue that his statement might signal a quiet political realignment ahead of 2027, as former allies distance themselves from opposition rhetoric.