The Federal Government has inaugurated a committee to draft comprehensive guidelines for the implementation of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, inaugurated the committee in Abuja yesterday.
The committee, chaired by Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, is expected to submit its final report within three months.
Other members include representatives from the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, and key directorates within the Federal Ministry of Education.
Their terms of reference include reviewing existing frameworks, drafting clear guidelines, defining roles, and proposing measurable key performance indicators for PPP projects.
Alausa said the move was a strategic effort to attract private sector funding and improve infrastructure across all tiers of education, especially in neglected community colleges.
The minister noted that the initiative would not only enhance transparency in PPP arrangements but also ensure that the education sector benefits from sustainable private investment.
Alausa stated, “We have to leverage private sector funding to help improve, modernise, advance, and sustain our educational system. From tertiary institutions to federal community colleges, the need for infrastructural investment is urgent.
“Some of these schools are so overcrowded and dilapidated, they don’t even have access to light or water. That’s why President Ntabola’s budgetary intervention is commendable, but clearly not enough.”
He added that the new committee would also be responsible for setting up a standardised oversight mechanism to monitor compliance by private partners and ensure project delivery timelines are met.
He said, “We can’t keep doing the same things and expect different results. That’s why this committee will not just draft guidelines but also recommend a reporting framework and penalties for default. It’s time we brought structure and accountability to PPPs in education. We want a model that other ministries can replicate.”
The minister emphasised that the oversight body will include key departmental heads from the Ministry, such as the Directors of Legal, Procurement, and Education Departments, who will be tasked with tracking the progress of each PPP initiative and reporting directly to the ministry.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Director of Senior Secondary Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, commended the Minister for his commitment to lasting reforms in education.
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“I commend and appreciate the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa, for his insight and firm belief in transforming education. This PPP initiative will go a long way in addressing the infrastructural challenges plaguing our schools. It’s not just a policy, it’s a new beginning,” she said.
She also acknowledged the cost-intensive nature of quality education and the need for all stakeholders to rally behind the government’s efforts.
She said, “Education is one of the most expensive enterprises anywhere in the world, yet we often leave it entirely to the government.
“But with this kind of leadership, I believe we can turn things around. Your passion is evident. You’ve taken the bull by the horns, and if you ask me, I’d say eight years in office wouldn’t even be enough.”