Nigeria’s drive to strengthen digital capacity in its university system has gained significant momentum, with the National Universities Commission (NUC) confirming the release of an initial €3 million to launch ICT upgrades in ten selected institutions.
The amount is the first instalment of the $40 million loan secured from the French Development Agency (AFD), designed to enhance technology-enabled teaching, expand research capability, and improve administrative effectiveness across the country’s universities.
Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, announced the development during the inaugural meeting of the 13th NUC Board in Abuja.
Ribadu explained that since assuming office, the Commission has pursued wide-ranging reforms aimed at revitalising universities through stronger research output, advanced skills training, entrepreneurship development, and a firm commitment to digital transformation.
“We are committed to repositioning the university system through research-driven reforms and stronger digital capacity,” he stated.
At the meeting, the Board outlined its priority areas, emphasising improved performance evaluation, a push to elevate Nigerian universities in global rankings, deeper digital literacy, enhanced research productivity, and sustained institutional reforms across the higher education sector.
The ICT projects financed through the first tranche are expected to lay the groundwork for broader digital infrastructure investments under the AFD-backed programme.
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