Federal Gov’t Unveils $40m ICT Revolution In 10 Varsities

The federal government has launched the Blueprint ICT Development (Blueprint-ICT-Dev) Project, a $40 million initiative to drive digital transformation in ten selected federal universities across the country.

The Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project is designed to strengthen institutional ICT infrastructure, enable hybrid and cross-border learning, improve education data systems for evidence-based policymaking, promote technical and vocational education through digital tools, and expand digital education in underserved communities.

The launch ceremony, held at the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Abuja on Tuesday, is fully funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

The honourable minister of education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, presided over the event, which was witnessed by key stakeholders, including the French Ambassador to Nigeria, representatives of the French AFD, vice-chancellors, and development partners.

Dr Alausa said the latest intervention targets higher education, specifically building smart campuses, promoting hybrid learning, improving research infrastructure, and embedding digital systems across universities.

“Blueprint-ICT-Dev is not just a technological upgrade. It is a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian education, supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

It would be recalled that the origins of the project date back to 2018, when the NUC developed a revitalisation blueprint for Nigeria’s university system, identifying ICT as the linchpin of meaningful reform. Out of 26 federal universities established before 2011, 10 were selected through a competitive process that included proposal assessments and site visits.

The selected universities include the University of Calabar in the South-South; University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in the South-East; University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in the South-West; Federal University of Technology, Minna and University of Jos in the North-Central; University of Maiduguri and Modibbo Adama University, Yola in the North-East; and Bayero University, Kano in the North-West.

According to the minister, these institutions are expected to serve as Centres of Excellence in ICT integration and education innovation, especially in teacher training, digital skills, online learning, and research management.

Also, NUC’s executive secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, expressed optimism that the organisation is already exploring additional funding avenues to expand the initiative to more universities.

“In line with this vision, I urge 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, digitised governance and administration workflows.

“I also urge 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 our academic community,” he added.