The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to building financially resilient, globally competitive and future-ready universities through the National University Advancement Programme (NUAP).
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, made this known in a keynote address delivered on his behalf at the wrap-up ceremony of the National University Advancement Programme training for university officials.
Alausa, represented by his Special Adviser on Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medical Sciences (STEMM) and Corporate Sector Engagement, Dr Adetola Salau, described the initiative as a strategic intervention to strengthen institutional sustainability and position Nigeria’s higher education system for long-term growth.
According to a press statement by Ikharo Attah, Special Adviser (Media and Communications), the minister said the programme marked more than the conclusion of a training exercise, describing it as a renewed national commitment to building stronger universities with the capacity, partnerships and institutional systems needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive global knowledge economy.
While reaffirming the President Tinubu-led federal government’s unwavering commitment to supporting higher education, Dr Alausa stressed that universities must also strengthen their internal systems, cultivate strategic partnerships and deliberately engage their alumni to unlock new opportunities for research, innovation, scholarships, infrastructure development and sustainable institutional growth.
“The National University Advancement Programme is not intended to replace government support for higher education. Rather, it complements existing investments by creating additional pathways for sustainability, innovation, research support, scholarships and long-term institutional growth,” the minister said.
He explained that NUAP was established through a strategic partnership between the Federal Ministry of Education, the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation (NHEF) and the Africa Finance Corporation to institutionalise professionally managed Advancement Offices across federal universities and inter-university centres.
According to the minister, the Advancement Offices will serve as centres for alumni engagement, donor relations, endowment management, strategic communications, resource mobilisation and institutional partnerships, enabling universities to strengthen their financial resilience, expand research opportunities and enhance their global visibility.
Dr Alausa noted that Nigerian universities possess one of their greatest untapped assets in their alumni, many of whom continue to distinguish themselves across business, science, medicine, technology, entrepreneurship and public service, both within Nigeria and around the world.
“When universities maintain strong relationships with their alumni, research receives greater support, students gain access to scholarships and mentorship opportunities, institutions build stronger partnerships, infrastructure improves and innovation expands,” he said.
The minister said the training was deliberately designed to move beyond theory by equipping university leaders and advancement teams with practical knowledge, global best practices and institutional frameworks in alumni engagement, donor stewardship, fundraising and sustainable university development.
He urged participants to return to their respective institutions and translate the knowledge acquired into practical reforms by establishing systems that promote accountability, strengthen institutional trust, improve governance and enhance the overall student experience.
For his part, chairman of the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation (NHEF), Wale Adeosun, urged Nigerian universities to prioritise alumni engagement and institutional advancement as a sustainable means of generating revenue.
Mr Adeosun, who is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kuramo Capital Management, explained that the broader goal is to help Nigerian universities become financially self-sustaining through diversified revenue sources.
He stressed that creating university endowment funds through alumni contributions would provide institutions with the financial flexibility to invest in critical areas such as infrastructure, scholarships, research and improved teaching facilities.
Speaking at the event, chairman of the Technical Working Committee of the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation, Claire Jemide, described NHEF as a strategic partner committed to strengthening Nigeria’s higher education ecosystem through sustained investment in people, institutions and collaborative partnerships.
