By Gideon Maxwell
March 13, 2026
The Federal Government has inaugurated the leadership of newly established federal tertiary institutions as part of efforts to expand access to quality higher education, strengthen teacher training, and position Nigerian institutions as centres of innovation and research.
The inauguration was performed in Abuja by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, who administered the oath of office to principal officers of Federal University of Science and Technology Epe and Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal Polytechnic Abuja.
The event also included the inauguration of the leadership of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, the body responsible for regulating and coordinating colleges of education across Nigeria.
Alausa said the appointments form part of broader reforms by the Federal Government aimed at strengthening institutional leadership and improving the quality of tertiary education in the country.
According to him, the establishment and leadership structure of the institutions are intended to create centres of learning capable of driving innovation, research, and national development.
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“The appointments reflect the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding access to quality tertiary education, strengthening teacher education, and positioning Nigerian institutions as centres of innovation and research,” he said.
Leadership tasked with addressing national challenges
The minister urged the newly appointed principal officers to provide strong leadership and ensure that their institutions become hubs of research, innovation, and practical solutions to national challenges.
He noted that the institutions are expected to contribute to addressing pressing issues such as food security, climate change, renewable energy, and technological innovation through academic research and knowledge development.
“These institutions must rise to the challenge of producing knowledge and research that directly contribute to solving the nation’s problems,” the minister said.
Focus on strengthening teacher education
Alausa also charged the leadership of the to strengthen governance and promote higher academic standards in teacher education institutions across the country.
He emphasised that quality teacher training remains critical to improving learning outcomes at all levels of the Nigerian education system.
Commitment to global competitiveness
The Federal Ministry of Education reiterated its commitment to improving governance and leadership within tertiary institutions to enhance their global competitiveness.
Officials said the government will continue to support universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education through policies aimed at strengthening research capacity, academic standards, and institutional management.
They added that the inauguration of the new leadership teams represents a significant step in ongoing reforms designed to reposition Nigeria’s tertiary education sector to meet both national development needs and global academic standards.
