The Director of the APUDI Institute for Peace Studies and Social Rehabilitation (APIS), Prof. Danladi Abok Atu, has urged Nigerian universities to adopt strategic advancement initiatives aimed at achieving self-reliance. He made this call while delivering a keynote address at the maiden Workshop on Institutional Advancement and Development, organised by the Directorate of Advancement, Yakubu Gowon University (formerly University of Abuja).
In his keynote, Prof. Atu examined the critical role of advancement strategies in repositioning Nigerian universities amidst declining government funding, infrastructural decay, brain drain, and growing competition. He highlighted the need for alternative funding models through collaborations with the private sector, alumni networks, international development agencies, and other institutions.
Citing the University of Cape Town’s partnership with Film Cape Town (2013–2018), which generated 1.2 billion Rands in revenue, Prof. Atu underscored the importance of a functional Advancement Office in enhancing revenue generation, stakeholder engagement, and global rankings.
He recommended that Nigerian universities should:
Upgrade and standardise Advancement Offices;
Build strategic partnerships with private sector players, alumni, and development agencies;
Develop robust donor engagement strategies rooted in transparency and measurable impact;
Train leadership and Advancement staff in proposal writing, strategic planning, and monitoring and evaluation.
Prof. Atu also called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to mandate the establishment of well-staffed and independently funded Advancement Units in all public universities.
Earlier, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Patricia Lar (represented by Prof. Rhoda Mundi), welcomed participants and commended Prof. Atu’s contributions, describing him as a formidable voice in higher education reform. She reaffirmed the university’s commitment to implementing the outcomes of the workshop.
Prof. Ladi Sule Matinja, Director of Advancement, reiterated the Directorate’s vision to reposition the university for global relevance and excellence. She called on participants to join in building a legacy of institutional growth.
The workshop attracted goodwill messages from stakeholders across diverse sectors, all commending Yakubu Gowon University and Prof. Atu for leading vital conversations on higher education development in Nigeria.
Dafir Zughumnaan
Media Aide to
Prof. Danladi Abok Atu
APIS (Nigeria)
