FG unveils platform to promote transparency, good governance in varsities

..directs VCs, Rectors, Provosts to comply with mandatory data submission

The Federal Government has unveiled a portal, ‘Federal Government Tertiary Institution Governance and Transparency Platform (FTIGTP), designed to enhance financial transparency, improve resource allocation, promote accountability, discourage the misuse of funds, and foster trust in the management of the tertiary education system in Nigeria.

Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, speaking at the official launch of the initiative on Tuesday in Abuja, said the platform would serve as a unified digital platform providing real-time access to accurate data and financial information across all tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

He equally directed all tertiary institutions to comply with the mandatory data submission schedule, which he noted is the first quarter of every year.

According to him, the initiative is a major milestone in the nation’s efforts to promote good governance, restore public trust, and enable data-driven decision-making in the education sector.

Alausa said: “Today marks a major milestone in our collective journey to promote transparency, accountability, good governance, restore public trust and enable evidence-based policies and reforms aimed at improving performance-based funding decisions and resource allocation.

“Why are we here today? For many years, data on tertiary education in Nigeria has been scattered across multiple platforms, paper reports, and inconsistent submissions. The FTIGTP serves as a single, nationwide source of accurate data and financial information about tertiary institutions,” he stated.

The Minister added that for the first time, Nigeria would have a single, nationwide source of verified information on students’ enrolment, government funding-capital, recurrent, and personnel, research grants, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) allocations, Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) interventions, and key performance indicators for benchmarking institutions.

He said: “Let me emphasise that FTIGTP is not just a platform; it is a reform instrument to promote transparency, efficiency, and results-based management of resources across the education sector and going forward.

“All tertiary institutions must comply with the mandatory data submission schedule (first quarter of every year).

“Financial reporting on the platform will be part of the institutional performance evaluation by local and international partners.

“Funding, support, and interventions will increasingly be tied to transparency and accountability metrics.

“All institutions will be required to get a clearance certificate from the Director ICT annually before TETFUND ICT intervention is released to them,” he added.

Alausa explained that the platform aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly the administration’s drive for transparency and accountability across public institutions.

“The FTIGTP is a fulfilment of President Tinubu’s commitment to open governance. Nigerians will now be able to see how public resources are allocated and utilised in our tertiary institutions,” he stated.

The minister emphasised that the platform would not only strengthen public confidence but also improve efficiency in the management of educational resources and foster innovation across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

He listed several benefits for tertiary institutions, including:” Improved planning and budgeting capacity; Stronger partnerships with industry and development partners; Enhanced credibility for international collaborations; Accurate and timely reporting to government authorities and greater competitiveness through performance benchmarking.

For the government, he added, the FTIGTP would ensure evidence-based policymaking, stronger monitoring mechanisms, and better value for public investment in the education sector.

Former Minister of Aviation, Mr Osita Chidoka, hailed Alausa for the unveiling of a platform that would promote transparency and accountability in the tertiary education system, saying the initiative would not only eliminate waste but also encourage evidence-based intervention.

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