The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the financial sustainability and global competitiveness of Nigerian universities through the National University Advancement Programme (NUAP), a new initiative designed to strengthen alumni engagement, fundraising and strategic partnerships.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, made the commitment during the closing ceremony of the National University Advancement Programme training for university officials.
According to the minister, the initiative is designed to complement government funding by creating additional sources of revenue through alumni contributions, donor partnerships, endowments and institutional collaborations.
He explained that the programme is part of efforts to build universities that are financially resilient, research-driven and capable of competing with leading institutions around the world while supporting Nigeria’s national development goals.
Alausa urged universities to strengthen their internal structures, expand partnerships and actively engage their alumni to unlock opportunities for research funding, innovation, scholarships, infrastructure development and long-term institutional growth.
He disclosed that the programme is being implemented through a partnership between the Federal Ministry of Education, the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation and the Africa Finance Corporation.
Under the initiative, professionally managed Advancement Offices will be established across federal universities and inter-university centres to coordinate alumni relations, donor engagement, endowment management, strategic communications, fundraising and institutional partnerships.
The minister noted that Nigerian universities have a valuable but underutilised resource in their alumni, many of whom have distinguished themselves in business, technology, medicine, science, entrepreneurship and public service both within Nigeria and internationally.
He said stronger relationships with alumni would provide greater support for research, create more scholarship opportunities, improve infrastructure, encourage innovation and expand institutional partnerships.
Alausa encouraged participants at the training to apply the knowledge gained by introducing reforms that promote accountability, strengthen governance and enhance the quality of education in their respective institutions.
He also reiterated that the Tinubu administration’s education reform agenda remains focused on expanding access to quality education, strengthening higher education institutions and using education as a key driver of national development.
Also speaking at the event, Claire Jemide, Chairman of the Technical Working Committee of the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation, described the organisation as a strategic partner committed to improving Nigeria’s higher education system through investments in institutions, capacity building and collaboration.
She explained that the National University Advancement Programme will equip universities with the skills, systems and strategies needed to improve alumni engagement, fundraising, communications and sustainable institutional development.
The training brought together vice-chancellors, university administrators, advancement officers and senior officials from federal universities and inter-university centres to learn global best practices in fundraising, donor management, alumni relations and university advancement.
The National University Advancement Programme is one of the Federal Ministry of Education’s latest higher education reform initiatives aimed at reducing universities’ dependence on government funding while attracting philanthropic support, research grants and strategic partnerships.
