NUAP: FG reaffirms commitment to sustainable universities through the National Advancement Programme

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to building financially resilient, globally competitive and future-ready universities through the National University Advancement Program (NUAP), describing the initiative as a strategic intervention to strengthen institutional sustainability and position Nigeria’s higher education system for long-term growth.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, made this known in a speech delivered on his behalf during the concluding ceremony of the University Officers Training Program of the National University Advancement Programme.

The Minister said the program marks 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 continued commitment of the Federal Government led by President Tinubu to support 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, scholarship, infrastructure development and sustainable institutional growth.

“The National University Advancement Program 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 institutionalize professionally managed advancement offices in federal universities and inter-university centres.

According to the Minister, the Advancement Offices will serve as centers for alumni engagement, donor relations, endowments management, strategic communications, resource mobilization 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 the greatest untapped resources in alumni, many of whom continue to distinguish themselves in business, science, medicine, technology, entrepreneurship and public service both in 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.

He added that the Federal Government’s vision is to build financially stronger universities, capable of long-term planning, driven by robust research ecosystems and globally competitive while remaining responsive to Nigeria’s development priorities.

The Minister said the training was deliberately designed to go beyond theory by providing university leaders and advancement teams with practical knowledge, global best practices and institutional frameworks in alumni engagement, donor management, fundraising and sustainable university development.

He urged participants to return to their respective institutions and translate the knowledge gained into practical reforms by establishing systems that promote accountability, strengthen institutional trust, and improve governance and the overall student experience.

Dr. Alausa reaffirmed that the federal government’s education reform agenda under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, remains focused on strengthening institutions, expanding access to quality education and positioning the education sector as a catalyst for national development.

Speaking at the event, the Chairperson 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 investments in people, institutions and collaborative partnerships.

He explained that the Foundation’s work has evolved from supporting exceptional students through the NHEF Scholars Program to strengthening faculty development, healthcare leadership, university governance and institutional transformation.

According to her, the University Advancement Programme, launched following the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Federal Ministry of Education in January 2026, represents another significant milestone in equipping Nigerian universities with the knowledge, systems and strategies needed to strengthen alumni engagement, fundraising, communications and long-term institutional advancement.

The National University Advancement Program brought together vice-chancellors, university administrators, advancement officers and senior officials from federal universities and inter-university centers across the country for intensive training on global best practices in institutional advancement, donor management, alumni relations and sustainable university development.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON remains committed to collaborating with stakeholders and development partners to build a higher education system that is resilient, innovative and globally competitive, ensuring that Nigerian universities continue to produce the knowledge, skilled workforce and research needed to drive national growth and sustainable development.