The Honourable Minister of Education, Chief Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, FAMedS, CON, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the management of public resources across Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
He stated this during a high-level meeting with the management of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Heads of Federal Tertiary Institutions, Agencies, Bursars, and Procurement Directors held on Tuesday, 4th November 2025, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. The engagement, jointly convened by the Federal Ministry of Education and the Bureau of Public Procurement, was aimed at promoting due process, compliance with extant laws, and enhancing institutional understanding of evolving procurement standards.
Dr. Alausa emphasized that procurement remains a critical tool for accountability, transparency, and institutional excellence. “Procurement is not just about spending money; it is about ensuring value, accountability, and impact,” he stated, adding that effective procurement practices directly improve infrastructure, promote excellence, and build public trust in Nigeria’s education system.
The Honourable Minister announced that all tertiary institutions must adopt the Nigerian Government Research and Education Network (NgREN) for ICT-related projects and adhere to the Federal Education Procurement Online Reporting System (PCORS) to strengthen efficiency and digital oversight. He reiterated that procurement officers must not be redeployed or replaced without BPP approval, and all institutional spending including internally generated revenue, donations, and consultancy funds—must be reflected in an approved procurement plan.
He further urged heads of institutions to lead by example and ensure that procurement processes are transparent, data-driven, and fully compliant with the law. Dr. Alausa commended the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, for his leadership and partnership with the Ministry in driving due process and institutional accountability.
In his remarks, Dr. Adedokun commended the Ministry for its proactive engagement, describing the meeting as a critical step toward institutional reform. He cautioned that non-compliance with procurement regulations attracts grave consequences, revealing that over 300 cases of project defaults and procedural violations are currently under review. “The Bureau’s role is not to punish but to guide institutions toward lawful and transparent practices,” he said.
He further emphasized that procurement connects citizens with government through service delivery and must always lead to end-user satisfaction — particularly for students, who are the ultimate beneficiaries of every education project. The Director-General also announced the enforcement of the Federal Government’s “Nigerians First” policy, mandating tertiary institutions to prioritize indigenous service providers and local technologies, such as NIGCOMSAT for internet connectivity. He stressed that only certified procurement professionals are authorized to handle institutional procurement activities, adding that the era of business as usual is over.
Delivering a goodwill message, Mr. Osita Chidoka, Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership and former Minister of Aviation, commended the initiative as a timely and strategic intervention to strengthen governance systems within the education sector. He highlighted procurement as a crucial instrument for performance, stressing that transparent and technology-driven processes help prevent waste, ensure accountability, and enhance service delivery.
Mr. Chidoka drew lessons from global best practices, citing China’s 4% GDP allocation to education as a model of sustained investment in human capital. He advocated for increased adoption of technology and artificial intelligence to drive efficiency and improve teaching, research, and management across Nigerian tertiary institutions. He also encouraged the inclusion of independent voices in monitoring frameworks and urged that technology-driven initiatives be extended to private and state-owned institutions.
He concluded by commending the Honourable Minister and his team for their visionary leadership, reaffirming that the integration of digital tools in education procurement and administration would set a new benchmark for transparency, accountability, and innovation in Nigeria’s higher education landscape.
The Federal Ministry of Education reiterates its unwavering commitment to ensuring transparency, accountability, and the prudent management of public funds across all its institutions. Working in close collaboration with the Bureau of Public Procurement and other oversight bodies, the Ministry remains steadfast in ensuring that procurement processes are lawful, transparent, and directed toward achieving quality education for all Nigerians.
Signed
Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press and Public Relations
