Stop Relying Solely on Government Funding- Alausa Tells VCs

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has urged Vice Chancellors of federal universities to end the culture of relying solely on government funding, stressing the need for institutions to develop sustainable alternative sources of revenue.

Alausa made the call at the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation (NHEF) National University Advancement Programme Forum, where he said universities must take greater responsibility for their long-term financial sustainability.

According to the minister, government funding alone could no longer meet the growing financial needs of Nigeria’s universities, making it necessary for institutions to explore other sources of funding.

He urged Vice Chancellors to strengthen their Advancement Offices and use them to mobilise resources through alumni contributions, research grants, philanthropy, endowment funds and partnerships with the private sector.

“This is no longer a suggestion. It is a mandate,” Alausa said, directing universities to rebuild and properly staff their Advancement Offices.

The minister further instructed Vice Chancellors to place the offices directly under their authority to ensure that advancement professionals have the access and institutional support required to engage donors, alumni and private-sector organisations.

Alausa said blended financing would provide an important pathway towards greater financial autonomy for universities, combining government support with funding from research grants, alumni, philanthropy, private investment and endowments.

He noted that while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remained committed to supporting and strengthening the education sector, university administrators must also develop strategies that would reduce their dependence on government allocations.

The minister expressed concern over the low participation of federal universities in the NHEF Advancement Programme, revealing that only 30 of the 78 federal universities had participated in the initiative, while just 18 Vice Chancellors attended the forum.

He urged university administrators to take ownership of the advancement agenda, stressing that institutions must build structures capable of generating resources and sustaining their operations beyond government funding.

Alausa charged the Vice Chancellors to “build the structures, mobilise the resources and strengthen your institutions,” describing the initiative as an important part of the legacy they should leave behind.