The Federal Government has launched a digital governance platform aimed at improving transparency, accountability and efficiency across Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
The platform, known as the Federal Government Tertiary Institution Governance and Transparency Platform, was formally introduced in Abuja on Tuesday by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa. He described the initiative as a major step toward strengthening public trust and enhancing data-driven management in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
At the launch, Dr Alausa said the platform will serve as a single central system that provides real-time, verified information on key activities in tertiary institutions. He explained that the innovation will address years of fragmented data, which has affected effective planning and oversight of the sector.
“For the first time, Nigeria will operate a single trusted database covering student enrolment, government funding for capital, recurrent and personnel expenses, research grants, TETFund support, student loan interventions and performance indicators for comparing institutions,” he said.
The minister noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the government’s commitment to transparency in public institutions. He said the platform will enable citizens to monitor the allocation and utilisation of public funds in tertiary schools.
Dr Alausa outlined key benefits for institutions, including better planning, improved budgeting, strengthened partnerships with industry and development organisations, increased credibility for international collaborations, quicker reporting to regulatory bodies and enhanced competitiveness through benchmarking.
He added that the government also stands to gain from the platform through more reliable data for policy decisions, stronger monitoring structures and improved value for public expenditure on education.
Compliance will be compulsory for all tertiary institutions. Annual data updates are to be completed in the first quarter of each year, and financial reporting on the platform will form part of institutional performance reviews. He added that access to government funding and intervention programmes will depend on transparency scores, while institutions must secure a clearance certificate from the Director of ICT before receiving TETFund support for ICT projects.
“The FTIGTP is not just a digital solution. It is a reform instrument designed to promote transparency, efficiency and results-based management across the entire tertiary education sector,” Dr Alausa said.
The Ministry of Education stated that the platform is intended to close long-standing gaps in the sector and align Nigeria with global standards. Institutions will be required to publish their annual budgets, clearly showing personnel, overhead and capital spending. Research funding must be disclosed, separating local from international grants, while TETFund allocations must be made public.
Schools will also update their endowment fund value every quarter, and student enrolment figures must be available, reflecting the number of undergraduates and postgraduates.
The ministry stressed that the platform is central to ongoing reforms targeting trust, performance-based funding and an improved rating of Nigeria’s tertiary education system globally. Regular audits will be carried out to ensure compliance.
By allowing the public access to financial and academic records, the government hopes to reduce mismanagement, provide parents and students with clearer information on how funds are spent and promote a more transparent environment that supports quality teaching, research and institutional development.
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