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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Ten Nigerian universities have been awarded $40 million to strengthen ICT infrastructure in their institutions, thereby digitising academic and non-academic activities.
The fund, provided by the French Government through the French Development Agency (AFD), is designed to drive digital transformation in the 10 selected federal universities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The beneficiary universities include the University of Calabar (South-South), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (South-East), University of Ibadan (South-West), Federal University of Technology, Minna (North-Central), University of Maiduguri (North-East), Bayero University, Kano (North-West), Modibbo Adama University, Yola (North-East), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (South-West), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (South-East), and University of Jos (North-Central).
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in his remarks at the award ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, noted that the project underscores a renewed national commitment to human capital development, digital transformation, and inclusive education.
“This project, Blueprint-ICT-Development (Blueprint-ICT-Dev), is not just a technological upgrade. It is a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian education, supporting the agenda of the government on education. It’s about building smart campuses, empowering smart people, and nurturing smart ideas,” he said.
The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, expressed optimism that the funding initiatives would be expanded to more universities.
He urged all universities, both those participating in the Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project and those awaiting future phases, to begin the automation of institutional processes, including but not limited to staff and student data management, online processing of academic results and transcripts, and digitised governance and administration workflows.
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He also urged all Vice-Chancellors to view the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) as more than just a broadband network, but rather as the digital lifeline of the academic community.
Dr. Joshua Atah, Coordinator of Special Projects at the NUC, described the project as a landmark investment to catalyse the digital transformation of the Nigerian University System (NUS).
“Component One of the project has a $38 million allocation to support ICT development in the 10 selected universities. This includes renovating digital infrastructure, improving connectivity, training academic staff in modern teaching methods, and providing digital resources for students, while Component Two was allocated $2 million for the creation of a National STEM Transformation Strategy,” he explained.
The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier, said the gesture was designed to promote an inclusive and innovative education system, producing graduates that would easily adapt to global changes.
Xavier Muron, Country Director of AFD, said, “This is more than a project. It’s a reflection of our shared commitment to developing ICT infrastructure in Nigerian universities.”
He highlighted the strategic connection between the Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project and the education agenda of the government.
