The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to reshaping Nigeria’s tertiary education sector by calling on eligible private tertiary institutions to participate in the Tertiary Education Research and Application Service (TERAS), a national digital platform aimed at strengthening teaching, learning, research, innovation, and institutional efficiency.
In a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the Minister of Education, Maruf Olatunji Alausa, said the invitation underscores the government’s resolve to reinforce and protect the nation’s education ecosystem through strategic public–private collaboration. He stressed that sustainable educational development can only be achieved through shared responsibility and inclusive partnerships between government and private sector stakeholders.
According to Alausa, the expansion of TERAS—implemented in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund)—marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing digital education reform. While the platform has traditionally supported public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, eligible private institutions are now encouraged to formally partner with TETFund and benefit from the same high-quality digital services deployed at national scale.
He noted that access to these services is essential for improving institutional performance and ensuring that Nigeria’s tertiary institutions remain competitive locally and internationally. The inclusion of private institutions, he added, aligns with the Federal Government’s vision of building a unified, inclusive, and resilient higher education system anchored on global best practices.
The minister further explained that collective participation in TERAS would enhance collaboration across the sector, strengthen bargaining power, and accelerate the development of a shared digital future for tertiary education in Nigeria.
Alausa therefore urged interested private universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to formally indicate their interest and engage with TETFund through the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities. He emphasised that inclusivity and collaboration are central to achieving sustainable progress in education.
The Ministry of Education reaffirmed that the initiative is consistent with the education agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which prioritises access to quality and inclusive education while positioning Nigeria’s tertiary institutions for global relevance in learning, research, and innovation in support of national development.
