FG inaugurates education reform, project approval board to drive infrastructure renewal
The Federal Government has inaugurated a far-reaching education reform initiative alongside the creation of the Ministerial Project Approval Board (MPAB), a mechanism designed to strengthen accountability, promote transparency, and accelerate infrastructure growth across Nigeria’s education system through Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs).
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa (CON), disclosed this during the inauguration ceremony held at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Abuja, describing the reform as a bold step to “eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and make the system deliver real value.”
The initiative, he explained, aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive approving a new project approval threshold across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Under the policy, projects valued up to ₦20 billion now fall under the MPAB’s jurisdiction, while those above ₦20 billion must secure Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval.
For parastatals and agencies, projects between N10 billion and N20 billion will be handled by the supervising Ministry’s PAB, while any inter-agency collaboration, regardless of value, remains under the FEC.
This was contained in a statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, who noted that the twin initiatives represent a “strategic milestone in Nigeria’s education transformation agenda.”
It reads: “No single budget can solve all the challenges facing our education system. What we need is innovation, accountability, and collaboration. This new framework provides the structure to achieve that.
“The MPAB reflects the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and value-driven project execution. Members must see their appointment as a national duty and deliver results that will shape the education system for generations.”
“Addressing infrastructural challenges such as overcrowded classrooms, inadequate facilities, and unsafe learning environments demands innovative financing and active engagement with unions, communities, and stakeholders.
“The reforms will streamline procurement processes, strengthen public–private partnerships, and clarify institutional responsibilities to ensure greater efficiency in governance and service delivery.”
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abel Olamuyiwa Enitan, hailed the establishment of the MPAB as a “landmark achievement that will entrench transparency and global best practices in project management.”
He added that PPPs remain critical to unlocking private sector investment in digital learning and educational infrastructure.
Also, Hajiya Binta Abdulkadir, Director of Senior Secondary Education, unveiled a PPP proposal for Federal Government College, Kano, marking the MPAB’s first operational project under the new structure.
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that every project reflects value for money, innovation, and sustainability, adding that the reforms will transform schools into “safe, vibrant centres of learning and excellence.”