In an unexpected development aimed at fostering transparency, only 34 out of 195 federal tertiary institutions managed to comply with the directive set by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, to publish their financial records online by the deadline of May 31, 2025. This move was intended to strengthen public trust in Nigeria’s educational institutions, but the response has been underwhelming.

The Directive: A Call for Openness

This initiative began on April 5, with a clear directive demanding detailed accounts of budgetary allocations, student demographics, and past grants. The goal was to clarify the financial operations of these institutions, breaking down expenses into key categories such as personnel, overhead, and capital expenditure. According to FIJ NG, the transparency drive sought to address the murkiness surrounding the records of many Nigerian universities.

Mixed Compliance Among Institutions

Contrasting levels of compliance were revealed. Institutions like the University of Benin and Nnamdi Azikiwe University have fully met the requirements. However, the disappointment was palpable as major universities like the University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University did not meet the expectations, casting a shadow over their accountability.

Polytechnics and Monotechnics: A Bleaker Landscape

The scenario was no different among polytechnics. Only a handful like the Federal Polytechnic Idah showed meaningful compliance, while most fell short, including Nigeria’s first polytechnic, Yaba College of Technology. The monotechnics were worse still, with just three out of 90 adhering to the directive.

An Underwhelming Response

This small fraction of compliance underscores a persisting lack of transparency. The Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, with notable expenditures, is a glaring example of missing records. The Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership had previously highlighted the opaque nature of financial records in the country’s institutions, ranking Nigerian universities among the least transparent globally.

Consequences and Future Expectations

As the dust settles on this deadline, the education sector watches closely. Will there be accountability for noncompliance? The minister’s directive has opened a critical dialogue about transparency and the actual commitment of educational bodies to public scrutiny. The stakes are high in an era that demands openness and trust-building, as the education ministry faces mounting pressure to address noncompliance and implement corrective measures.

This compliance shortfall highlights a broader issue—a failure to meet governance, transparency, and accountability standards that should remain non-negotiable for institutions that play critical roles in shaping the nation’s future leaders.