In a bold step toward revitalizing Nigeria’s educational sector, the Federal Government has inaugurated a high-level committee to draft comprehensive Public-Private Partnership (PPP) guidelines for the education sector. This strategic move, championed by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa CON, aims to harness private sector funding to address decades-long infrastructural decay and capacity challenges, particularly in secondary and tertiary institutions across the country.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Alausa underscored the urgent need for innovation and collaboration in education financing. “Government cannot do it alone, especially in this area of mega-resources,” he said. “We must leverage private sector funding to modernize, advance, and sustain our educational system. The PPP guidelines we are developing will ensure that private involvement is strategic, transparent, and impactful.”
Dr. Alausa acknowledged substantial budgetary support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2025 and efforts by TETFund, however emphasized that these efforts, though commendable, are insufficient to meet national needs. “It’s time to think outside the box. We must innovate and break away from doing things the old way if we want different results,” he added.
The committee to be chaired by the Honourable Minister of State for Education (represented by the Director of Special Duties), comprises directors from key departments in the ministry, representatives from the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, and other stakeholders.
The terms of reference for the committee include developing minimum benchmarks for PPP projects, reviewing existing legal and policy frameworks to identify gaps, drafting comprehensive implementation guidelines, defining roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders, establishing key performance indicators, creating mechanisms for regular reviews, instituting standardized oversight structures, enforcing reporting lines, and proposing clear deliverables and penalties for non-compliance.
Dr. Alausa emphasized the importance of protecting government investment while ensuring value for private sector partners, stating: “If we do this right, this document can serve as a model for other ministries.” The committee has been given three months to deliver its report.
The Honourable Minister of State for Education Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad ably represented by Director Special Duties, Mr. Mohammed L. Garba, affirmed the commitment of the committee members : “Your expertise and dedication are commendable. I believe this assignment will yield impactful policies that reshape the landscape of our education system.”
Representing the Permanent Secretary Mr Abel Olumuyiwa Eniitan, Dr. Saeed Yusuf, Director Reforms Coordination stressed the importance of unity and urgency: “This initiative has the potential to transform the lives of millions of children and establish a benchmark for other sectors.”
Also speaking at the event, Director of Senior Secondary Education, Hajiya Binta Abdulkhadri, praised the Minister’s vision and leadership: “You are truly taking the bull by the horns. This sustainable PPP initiative will go a long way to uplift the state of our schools and inspire confidence in both teachers and learners.”
The Federal Ministry of Education affirmed that the final PPP guidelines will be published online and circulated to all relevant education agencies to ensure alignment and transparency across all levels.
Signed
Boriowo Folasade
Director Press and PR
