Nigeria’s Longest-Serving Education Minister, Adamu Bids Farewell

Adamu Adamu, the longest-serving Minister of Education since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, is set to leave office

The minister, on Thursday, May 25, 2023 bid farewell to the ministry in Abuja.

Adamu was appointed by the outgoing President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari(retd) in 2015 and served as Minister of Education for 91 months.

During his period as education minister, the education sector witnessed tons of “ups and downs.”

Though his tenure witnessed the highest number of industrial strike actions from tertiary institutions-based unions such as the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union among others, the sector also witnessed the implementation of new policies, increase in the number of new institutions among others.

For instance, his tenure witnessed the implementation of new retirement age for teachers.

The highest number of public and private universities were established under his tenure. Over 120 new universities were licensed with some other colleges of education and polytechnics converted to universities.

Adamu who was celebrated on Thursday in Abuja during a valedictory service held in his honour received accolades from members of staff of the ministry.

The ministry’s Director of Press, Ben Goong said, “I have served 22 ministers during the course of my career but he remains the best and the person who gave me the most freedom to do my best as a director of press.”

The PUNCH reports that the Buhari regime of whom Adamu is a part of is expected to handover to the incoming administration on May 29, 2023.