Federal Government has mandated all public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to publicly submit and publish their financial statements and academic performance data at the beginning of each year, starting from the first quarter of 2026.
This directive, issued by the Federal Ministry of Education, is part of a new governance and transparency framework aimed at strengthening accountability and facilitating data-driven reforms across the tertiary education sector.
Institutions that fail to comply will risk losing access to future interventions from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
This initiative is based on the recently launched Tertiary Institution Governance and Transparency Platform (TIGTP), which will serve as a central hub for uploading, verifying, and tracking institutional financial records, procurement processes, and performance indicators.
The government is linking compliance with transparency standards to funding decisions, meaning schools will be evaluated based on the openness of their records and the efficiency of their operations.
Clearance from the ICT Department will also be mandatory before accessing any TETFund-related ICT support.
This move is part of a broader national strategy to stabilise academic calendars and prevent further disruptions in public universities.
Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to avoid any additional shutdowns of tertiary institutions due to labour disputes and is enhancing engagement with academic unions to address issues related to welfare, funding, and infrastructure.
Additionally, the administration aims to achieve full broadband connectivity across federal tertiary institutions by 2026 through the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), thus enhancing campuses for improved digital learning, research collaboration, and administrative efficiency.
University leaders have expressed support for these reforms, noting that the emphasis on greater transparency and digital integration aligns with global standards in higher education governance.
The Federal Government states that these combined measures aim to establish accountability, enhance institutional performance, and ensure uninterrupted learning environments for students nationwide.
