Through the National University Advancement Programme, a new initiative aimed at enhancing alumni engagement, strategic partnerships, and institutional fundraising, the Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to making Nigerian universities financially sustainable and globally competitive. This was said by Education Minister Tunji Alausa in a keynote speech at the National University Advancement Program training for university officials' conclusion ceremony.
Ikharo Attah, the Minister's Special Advisor on Media and Communications, made the statement on Friday. According to Alausa, the program is a strategic intervention that helps institutions mobilize additional resources through alumni networks, donor relationships, endowments, and institutional alliances in order to supplement government financing.
“The National University Advancement Programme is not intended to replace government support for higher education. Rather, it complements existing investments by offering additional routes for sustainability, innovation, research support, scholarships and long-term institutional growth,” the minister said.
He clarified that the program demonstrated the Federal Government's commitment to creating universities that can compete on a global scale while yet being sensitive to Nigeria's development aspirations.
In order to open new potential for research, innovation, scholarships, infrastructure development, and sustained institutional growth, he contends that universities must fortify their internal systems, foster strategic collaborations, and consciously engage their alumni.
Alausa revealed that in order to institutionalize professionally run Advancement Offices throughout federal universities and inter-university centers, the Federal Ministry of Education, the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation, and the Africa Finance Cooperation partnered to create the National University Advancement Program.
He claimed that by acting as centers for alumni involvement, donor relations, endowment management, strategic communications, resource mobilization, and institutional alliances, the offices would increase research possibilities and strengthen institutions' financial stability.
According to him, "one of Nigerian universities' greatest untapped assets is their alumni, many of whom continue to distinguish themselves in business, science, medicine, technology, entrepreneurship, and public service, both within Nigeria and around the world."
The minister continued, “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 stated that the Federal Government's goal was to create universities that are more globally competitive, financially stable, capable of long-term planning, and supported by strong research ecosystems.
According to Alausa, the training's attendees were given useful information on alumni engagement, fundraising, donor stewardship, and sustainable university development. She urged them to return to their schools and carry out changes that strengthen governance, encourage accountability, and enhance the educational experience for students.
Additionally, he reiterated that President Bola Tinubu's administration's education reform program was still centered on bolstering institutions, increasing access to high-quality education, and presenting education as a catalyst for national growth.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Technical Working Committee of the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation, Claire Jemide, described the foundation as a strategic partner committed to strengthening Nigeria’s higher education ecosystem through investments in people, institutions and collaborative partnerships.
She said the University Advancement Programme, launched following the Memorandum of Agreement signed with the Federal Ministry of Education in January 2026, would equip universities with the knowledge, systems and strategies needed to strengthen alumni engagement, fundraising, communications and long-term institutional advancement.
In order to learn about international best practices in institutional advancement, donor stewardship, alumni relations, and sustainable university development, the training brought together vice-chancellors, university administrators, advancement officers, and senior officials from federal universities and inter-university centres nationwide.
The National University Advancement Programme is one of the Federal Ministry of Education’s latest higher education reform efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
By creating institutional advancement offices that can draw charitable contributions, boost alumni involvement, obtain research funding, and forge strategic alliances in accordance with global best practices embraced by top universities across the globe, the program aims to lessen Nigerian universities' reliance on government funding.