The Federal Government has called on interested private universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to formally express their interest and engage with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) as part of efforts to deepen digital transformation in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

The call was made by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, as the government moves to expand access to the Tertiary Education Research and Application Service (TERAS), a national digital platform designed to enhance teaching, learning, research, innovation and institutional efficiency.

Dr Alausa said the move reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening and safeguarding Nigeria’s education ecosystem through strategic public–private collaboration, stressing that sustainable progress in the sector requires shared responsibility and inclusive partnerships.

He explained that the expansion of TERAS, implemented in collaboration with TETFund, represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s digital education reform agenda. While the platform has traditionally served public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, eligible private institutions are now being invited to formally partner with TETFund and benefit from the same premium digital services delivered at a national scale.

According to the minister, TERAS serves as a unified national digital infrastructure offering structured onboarding, reliable connectivity services, cost efficiency, standardised quality assurance mechanisms and data-driven decision-making tools. He noted that these features are essential for improving institutional performance and ensuring that Nigerian tertiary institutions remain competitive both locally and globally.

Dr Alausa said the inclusion of private tertiary institutions aligns with the Federal Government’s broader vision of building a unified, inclusive and resilient higher education ecosystem that reflects global best practices. He added that collective participation through TERAS would strengthen collaboration among institutions, enhance bargaining power and accelerate the development of a shared digital future for tertiary education in Nigeria.

The minister therefore urged private universities, polytechnics and colleges of education interested in joining the platform to formally indicate their interest and engage with TETFund through the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities. He emphasised that collaborative inclusivity remains critical to achieving sustainable advancement in the education sector.

The Ministry of Education reaffirmed that the initiative is in line with the education agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which prioritises access to quality and inclusive education. It also aims to position Nigeria’s tertiary institutions for global relevance in learning, research and innovation, in support of national development.