FG unveils initiative to boost university funding through alumni, partnerships
The federal government has unveiled the National University Advancement Programme (NUAP), a new initiative designed to strengthen the financial sustainability of Nigerian universities by promoting alumni engagement, fundraising, donor partnerships and institutional collaborations.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the initiative during the closing ceremony of the National University Advancement Programme training for university officials, describing it as a key component of the government’s efforts to build globally competitive higher education institutions.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, the programme is intended to complement—not replace—government funding by creating additional revenue streams for universities.
Alausa said the initiative would enable institutions to harness support from alumni, philanthropic organisations, development partners and private sector stakeholders to finance research, scholarships, innovation, infrastructure and other long-term development projects.
“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 noted that universities must strengthen their governance structures, establish strategic partnerships and actively engage their alumni to unlock new opportunities that will improve institutional performance and global competitiveness.
The minister explained that the programme was developed through a partnership between the Federal Ministry of Education, the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation (NHEF) and the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC). Under the initiative, professionally managed Advancement Offices will be established across federal universities and inter-university centres.
These offices will coordinate alumni relations, donor engagement, endowment management, strategic communications, fundraising and institutional partnerships, helping universities diversify their funding sources while expanding research and development opportunities.
