Nigeria Launches $40M ICT Project to Transform Tertiary Education

The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a transformative $40 million ICT project to revolutionize tertiary education. Funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), the Blueprint ICT Development (Blueprint-ICT-Dev) Project aims to digitize and enhance academic systems across 10 federal universities.

Speaking at the unveiling in Abuja, Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa emphasized the project’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “This is a strategic investment in Nigerian education, building smart campuses, empowering smart people, and nurturing smart ideas,” he stated.

The initiative will modernize university administrative systems, enabling digital libraries, advanced research management, and integration with the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN). It also promotes hybrid and cross-border academic programs to strengthen transnational education linkages.

Dr. Alausa highlighted the project’s focus on teacher training and integrating Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) into university curricula. This approach aims to foster skills-based learning and enhance education data systems for better institutional efficiency.

Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), described the project as a milestone in embracing digital transformation for academic excellence. Evolving from the NUC’s 2018 blueprint, it addresses governance, financing, and employability challenges within the Nigerian University System (NUS).

The project will expand university outreach through open and distance learning, digital literacy programs, and teacher empowerment initiatives. Ribadu urged universities to automate key processes like student and staff data management and academic records to ensure success.

Dr. Joshua Atah, NUC’s Coordinator of Special Projects, outlined the project’s two main components for comprehensive digital transformation. Component One allocates $38 million to upgrade digital infrastructure, connectivity, and academic resources in the selected universities.

Component Two dedicates $2 million to develop a National STEM Transformation Strategy, including labor market research and pilot programs. This strategy aims to elevate STEM education quality and foster innovation across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

The 10 beneficiary universities include the University of Calabar, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the University of Ibadan, among others. These institutions will serve as models for innovation and international cooperation in Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape.

Attended by the French Ambassador and AFD Country Director, the unveiling underscores strong international support for Nigeria’s digital education goals. The project is poised to transform lives by reimagining the role of ICT in higher education.

By fostering smart campuses and inclusive education, the Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project positions Nigeria’s universities for global competitiveness. Its success will be measured not only by infrastructure but by the tangible impact on students, educators, and communities.

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