Department Overview
The University Education Department was created in July 2021, when the Federal Ministry’s former Tertiary Education Department was unbundled into three separate departments. It oversees Nigeria’s university education sector, conventional federal universities, specialised universities, and inter-university centres, covering policy implementation, quality assurance and international collaboration to maintain educational excellence and global competitiveness.
The Department’s remit spans 38 federal universities and 4 inter-university centres, and includes organising statutory Visitation Panels to federal universities every five years, appointing and supervising Ministry representatives on university Governing Councils, and negotiating directly with university labour unions including ASUU, CONUA, NAAT, SSANU and NASU.
Our Vision
To advance Nigeria’s economic growth and global competitiveness through the provision of accessible, relevant, high quality education in our universities and inter-university centres.
Our Mission
To constantly attract, develop and graduate competent, knowledgeable and talented individuals from our universities and inter-university centres.
Mandate
- Coordinates and supervises policy design, implementation and monitoring of university education in Nigeria
- Exercises supervisory oversight of the National Universities Commission (NUC)
- Coordinates the establishment of new federal universities and the upgrading of institutions into universities
- Organises and coordinates Visitation Panels to federal universities every five years
- Appoints and supervises Ministry representatives on the Governing Councils of federal universities
- Handles Federal Government negotiations with university labour unions, including ASUU, CONUA, NAAT, SSANU and NASU
- Promotes local and international exchange and linkages on university education
- Coordinates policies on entrepreneurship and skills development for graduate employability
- Maintains a data and information base of all universities in Nigeria
Core Functions
Guided by the values of Excellence, Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, Inclusiveness and Service Excellence, the Department’s core functions include:
- Coordinating the establishment of new Federal Universities and the upgrading of institutions into Universities
- Organising and coordinating Visitation Panels to Federal Universities every five years
- Promoting local and international exchange and linkages on University Education
- Maintaining a data and information base of all Universities in Nigeria
Leadership
DIRECTOR
Dr. Kareem Olawale Lateef, Phd.
Dr. Kareem O. L. is a distinguished educationist and accomplished administrator with over three decades of progressive service in Nigeria’s education sector and the Federal Civil Service. He began his career as a classroom teacher on 21st January, 1992 and has risen through the ranks to his current position through education, professionalism, and exemplary leadership. He holds a Ph.D. in Education from University of llorin and has made significant contributions to Educational Policy, Administration, and Institutional Development. Dr. Kareem is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, reflecting his commitment to professional excellence and the advancement of education in Nigeria.
Organizational Structure
State and Private Universities
Branches:
State and Private South East & North Central, State and Private North East & South West, State and Private North West & South-South.
Key Functions:
- Serves as the Ministry’s liaison with state-owned and private universities to strengthen collaboration and policy implementation.
- Monitors adherence to national education policies, quality standards, and regulatory requirements across state and private institutions.
Institutional Support & Partnerships
Branches:
- Partnerships/Documentation & Resource Material
- Student Support Services
- Staff Support & Labour Relations.
Key Functions:
- Develops and manages strategic partnerships with local and international stakeholders to support university education and institutional growth.
- Coordinates resource mobilisation, technical assistance, capacity-building initiatives, and collaborative programmes.
- Develops and coordinates student support services that promote academic success, well-being, retention, and holistic development, including guidance, counselling, welfare, and career programmes.
- Manages staff wellbeing, performance, engagement, grievance resolution and labour relations to foster a productive work environment.
Key Services
- University Policy & Oversight, coordinates and monitors the implementation of university education policies
- Institutional Development, supports the establishment and upgrading of Federal Universities
- Governance & Labour Relations, coordinates university governance processes and labour relations
- Partnerships & Employability, promotes collaborations, exchanges, and graduate employability initiatives
- Data & Information Management, maintains and provides data on universities to support planning and decision making
Key Programmes / Projects
- Erasmus+ Programme. The Department serves as Nigeria’s National Focal Point. Over 500 scholarships were secured for Nigerian students to study in European universities between 2021 and 2025.
- Presidential Visitation Panels. Covering 38 federal universities and 4 inter university centres across the 2011–2015 and 2016–2020 cycles. The White Paper has been gazetted and distributed for implementation.
- University Revitalisation Fund. Supporting infrastructure and institutional development in beneficiary universities.
- Retreat for Governing Council and Federal Ministry of Education Representatives of Federal Universities and Inter University Centres. Strengthening university governance, accountability, and strategic partnerships for sustainable higher education development.
- White Paper for Nigerian Federal Universities and Inter University Centres. A strategic framework for strengthening governance, academic excellence, innovation, and sustainable development in Nigeria’s federal higher education system.
Achievements
- Successful monitoring of White Paper implementation across federal universities
- Two-day retreat for Ministry representatives on Governing Councils, themed “Actualisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda”
- Resolution of salary disputes, with the release of four months of withheld salaries to university staff unions
- Monitoring exercise across 60 beneficiary universities under the 2021 Needs Assessment Intervention
- Biannual meetings with university-based unions to maintain industrial harmony and a stable academic calendar
- Development of a stand-alone National Policy on Open Distance and E-Learning
- Approval from the National Council on Education for the stand-alone Open and Distance Learning policy
- Development of a monitoring framework for entrepreneurship education implementation
- Harmonisation of university policies across state and private institutions
Images & Media
Contact Information
Main Office: University Education Department, Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Secretariat, Phase III, Abuja
- Email: university@education.gov.ng
- Phone: 08038343895