The Nigeria Higher Education Foundation (NHEF), in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), hosted the inaugural National University Advancement Program (NUAP) Forum in Abuja, Nigeria, from September 8–9, 2026, bringing together Policymakers, Vice-Chancellors, Directors of Advancement, and senior university leaders from federal universities across Nigeria to strengthen the practice of university advancement and explore sustainable approaches to institutional financing.

A key outcome of the two-day forum was a directive by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Maruf Alausa, CON, for federal universities to move their advancement offices from the supervision of Registrars to the direct oversight of Vice-Chancellors.

Speaking at the opening of the forum, the Minister emphasized advancement’s strategic role in institutional development and financial sustainability.

“Take the advancement offices away from under the Registrar and bring them under the Vice-Chancellor’s office,” he stated.

Dr. Alausa also called on universities to strengthen their advancement offices through qualified personnel, stable leadership and deliberate efforts to build institutional memory. He recommended a minimum five-year tenure for Directors of Advancement to promote continuity and long-term institutional impact.

The Minister further announced the Federal Ministry of Education’s support for the deployment of an advancement technology platform developed by NHEF. The platform is designed to help universities build and manage advancement data, strengthening their capacity for alumni engagement, donor management and resource mobilization. Each institution will retain ownership of its data, with the Federal Government expected to support the cost of deployment following the Ministry’s review of the platform. 

The forum also provided an opportunity for university leaders and advancement professionals to examine the role of advancement in building more financially sustainable institutions. Dr. Alausa stressed the need for universities to adopt a blended financing approach that combines government funding with research funding, philanthropy, endowments, alumni support, industry partnerships and other credible sources of institutional finance.

Strengthening University Advancement

In his remarks, NHEF Chairman, Walé Adeosun, CFA, highlighted NHEF’s longstanding commitment to strengthening Nigerian universities and supporting institutions to develop sustainable sources of funding.

He noted that alumni represent one of the most significant untapped resources available to universities and emphasized the importance of systematically identifying, engaging and cultivating alumni communities as long-term partners in institutional development.

The forum also featured reflections from university advancement leaders who shared how the NUAP program has influenced advancement practice within their institutions. Participants highlighted progress in developing advancement frameworks and donor policies, strengthening institutional support for advancement and improving understanding of the strategic role advancement can play in university administration.

For NHEF, the inaugural NUAP Forum represents an important milestone in its ongoing work to strengthen university advancement in Nigeria. The program provides a platform for university leaders and advancement professionals to learn from one another, develop practical strategies and build the institutional capacity required to mobilize resources and strengthen long-term university sustainability.

The forum reinforces NHEF’s commitment to working with universities and government to build a stronger advancement ecosystem and support Nigerian universities in becoming more sustainable, connected and resilient institutions.

Click here to view photos from the event.

Click here to read more about the Minister’s directive and the NUAP Forum in ThisDay.