The Federal Ministry of Education has urged Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Desk Officers across federal tertiary institutions to prioritise public interest, affordability and improved learning outcomes over commercial profits when executing infrastructure projects.
The Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Dr Folake David, gave the charge during the two-day Annual PPP Forum for Desk Officers held from November 4 to 5, 2026, at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria in Abuja.
The forum, organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Infrastructure and Public-Private Partnership, focused on addressing operational gaps between policy formulation, capital investment and sustainable project implementation in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
Addressing participants, David urged PPP Desk Officers to identify high-impact opportunities, develop bankable proposals and attract reputable private investors.
She stressed that partnerships in the education sector must prioritise social value and accessibility, noting that projects that students cannot afford defeat their primary purpose.
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“Projects students cannot afford cannot be considered successful,” David said, emphasising that educational PPPs should deliver measurable social benefits rather than operate solely as profit-driven ventures.
Also speaking at the event, Akwu Okolo, who represented the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), announced measures introduced to streamline regulatory processes and accelerate infrastructure delivery.
He disclosed that the commission had reduced the review period for PPP project proposals from approximately 60 days to seven days.
Okolo also revealed that the commission had released 13 updated regulatory guidelines to improve the implementation of public-private partnerships.
In a statement issued by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparent, accountable and value-driven partnerships.
It added that the partnerships were aimed at upgrading educational infrastructure and advancing structural reforms under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
