The Federal Government has unveiled plans to leverage public-private partnerships (PPP) as a strategic solution to address the longstanding infrastructure decay in public schools across Nigeria. Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, who made the announcement in Abuja, described the deteriorating condition of Federal Government Colleges, popularly known as Unity Schools, as unacceptable. He spoke during the inauguration of a new committee charged with drafting PPP guidelines and implementing related projects within the education sector.

Dr. Alausa emphasized that education is capital intensive and the government alone cannot shoulder the burden of revamping Nigeria’s vast and underfunded school infrastructure. He stated that the newly formed committee, chaired by Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, will focus on unlocking PPP opportunities, particularly in the 115 Unity Schools nationwide. The committee is expected to deliver a comprehensive report within three months, outlining clear roles, guidelines, and measurable performance indicators for PPP-driven education projects.

The committee comprises representatives from the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, and key departments within the Ministry of Education. Alausa noted that the initiative aims to attract significant private sector investment and develop sustainable infrastructure solutions not just for Unity Schools but also for community colleges and other neglected public institutions across the country.