The Federal Ministry of Education has cautioned Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Desk Officers in federal tertiary institutions against prioritising profit at the expense of students’ welfare, affordability and improved learning outcomes.
In a statement signed by the Ministry’s Director, Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the ministry stressed that partnerships with private investors in the education sector must deliver public value and improve access to quality education rather than focus solely on financial returns.
The Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Dr Folake David, gave the warning at the two-day Annual PPP Forum for Desk Officers held from November 4 to 5, 2026, at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria, Abuja.
The forum, organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Infrastructure and Public-Private Partnership, focused on bridging the gap between government policy, private investment and sustainable project implementation.
David urged participants to identify viable investment opportunities, develop bankable proposals and engage credible investors capable of delivering sustainable projects in the education sector.
She emphasised that affordability must remain a critical consideration in evaluating PPP projects, warning that initiatives beyond the financial reach of students could not be regarded as successful.
According to her, education partnerships must balance investment returns with the broader responsibility of providing accessible and improved learning environments.
Also speaking at the event, the representative of the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Mr Akwu Okolo, disclosed that the commission had reduced its PPP project review timeline from approximately 60 days to seven days.
He also highlighted 13 PPP guidelines issued by the commission to guide the development and implementation of infrastructure partnership projects.
The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to promoting transparent, accountable and value-driven partnerships aimed at strengthening educational infrastructure and supporting ongoing reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
