Commonwealth Institute Universities Leaders Conference

Topic: Funding and Revenue Generation for Universities

Date: 21-22 May, 2026

Venue: Lagos, Nigeria

Universities in Nigeria and across Africa are operating in a rapidly evolving environment: rising costs, increased regulatory expectations, competitive student recruitment, and limited access to traditional public funding streams. This high-level Commonwealth Institute conference is designed to go beyond theory and provide practical, actionable strategies for sustainable funding and diversified revenue streams.

Over two days, vice-chancellors, founders, registrars, bursars, advancement officers, and governing council members will engage directly with policymakers, finance experts, development strategists, regulators and higher education leaders.

Conference Faculty & Speakers

• Sonny Echono – Executive Secretary, TETFUND.
• Wale Adeosun – Chairman of the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation (NHEF), which supports 6 Universities, and just re-launched the University Advancement Program (UAP).
• Ayo Abina – Banker, Finance and Management Expert.
• Yakubu Ochefu – Professor of Economic History & Development Studies and National Chairman, Association of Nigerian Universities Alumni.
• Lawrence Ezemonye – Chairman, CVCNU (Committee of Vice-Chancellors).
• Ummahani Ahmad Amin – Capital Market Solicitor and Expert in Interest-free finance.
• Yemi Keri – Funding, Investment, and Innovation Expert.
• Anthony Kila – Commonwealth Institute Director, Prof of Strategy and Development, University Pro-chancellor.
• Blackson Bayewumi – Country Director, The Royal Commonwealth Society.
• Sola Longe-Okenimkpe – Fintech Expert, Marketing Communications Specialist and Commonwealth Scholar

Core Conference Themes & Sessions

1. TETFUND and Private Institutions: Reality, Misconceptions, Potentials and Proposals

A candid, policy-level discussion on what TETFUND currently allows, what it does not, common misunderstandings among private institutions, and realistic advocacy routes for increasing access, partnerships, and collaborative funding models.

2. Beyond Tuition: Building Multiple Revenue Streams for Private Universities

How private universities can diversify income through:

• Endowments and structured giving
• Research commercialisation
• Executive education and professional certification
• Consultancy, IP licensing, and campus enterprises.

3. Attracting Donors, Partners, and Investors: What Funders Actually Look For

A practical deep dive into:

• Donor psychology and institutional credibility
• Preparing fundable proposals and bankable projects
• Corporate partnerships, PPPs, and development finance
• Governance, transparency, and reporting as funding tools

4. Governance, Strategy, and Sustainability in a Competitive Higher Education Market

How leadership decisions, governance structures, and long-term planning affect:

• Financial sustainability
• Brand strength and student recruitment
• Alumni loyalty and lifetime value
• Regulatory confidence and external trust

5. Unveiling of the Commonwealth Collegium

The Commonwealth Collegium is a selective alliance of leading Commonwealth universities, committed to academic excellence, research and funding collaboration, and the exchange of students and faculty for global impact and shared advancement. [click to learn more]

What Participants Will Gain

Participants will leave this conference with tangible advantages, not just insights:

• Clear understanding of TETFUND realities and actionable engagement pathways
• Templates and frameworks for developing fundable projects and proposals
• Practical revenue models adaptable to different sizes of private universities
• Direct contacts with policymakers, financiers, consultants, and peer institutions
• New collaboration opportunities for joint research, shared services, and partnerships
• Strategic tools for strengthening governance, transparency, and donor confidence
• Action plans for immediate implementation within their institutions

Who Should Attend

• Founders and Proprietors of Private Universities Vice-Chancellors, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, and Provosts
• Registrars, Bursars, and Directors of Finance, Advancement, Development, and Alumni Relations Officers
• Members of Governing Councils and Boards of Trustees

The Commonwealth Institute conferences are known for combining policy access, intellectual depth, and real-world application. This event is deliberately designed to be small enough for meaningful interaction, yet senior enough to influence decisions and outcomes.

Registration

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