The National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Agence Française de Dévelopement (AFD) have formally launched the Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project aimed at modernising Nigeria’s public universities through digital innovation.
The initiative launched in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, is backed by a $40 million US dollar credit facility from the French Government through AFD, and is bound to strengthen digital infrastructure and ICT capacity across 10 selected Nigerian federal universities.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, at the launching said the Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project is a flagship initiative and a critical component of the broader Blueprint for the Rapid Revitalisation of University Education in Nigeria, developed by the NUC in 2018 as a strategic response to critical challenges in the Nigerian University System (NUS).
“These challenges include insufficient infrastructure for teaching and research, inadequate ICT integration, weak research capacity, inadequate access to university education and the need for more efficient governance and academic service delivery.
“The Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project is not simply a technological upgrade. It is a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian education. It is about building smart campuses, empowering smart people, and nurturing smart ideas,” said the Minister
According to him, the Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project is about restoring hope, in line with the vision of Mr. President, to a sector that holds the key to national renewal.
The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier, described the launch of the Blueprint Project as a decisive leap forward in Nigeria’s pursuit of inclusive, innovative, and future-ready education.
“This is not merely an update. It is a decisive leap forward, a bold step to bring teaching and learning in Nigerian universities into the digital age, practically and structurally,” he said
He commended the foresight of the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission, and the leadership of the selected universities, noting that the project represents not just an investment in infrastructure, but in people, systems, and institutional transformation.
The AFD Country Director, Mr Xavier Muron, highlighted the strategic alignment of the Blueprint with AFD’s commitment to strengthening higher education, fostering digital and entrepreneurial skills, and driving governance reform.
“This project is more than a milestone, it is a reflection of our shared vision to develop ICT-driven solutions that serve both academic and socio-economic goals.”
“At the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), we see digital transformation not as a passing trend, but as a pillar for building future-ready, resilient societies.”
“With this project, we are enabling selected Nigerian universities to develop ICT-driven solutions that serve not only academic needs, but broader socio-economic goals,” he said
He further emphasised the participatory and locally grounded design of the initiative, reaffirming AFD’s commitment to providing continued financial, technical, and strategic support to ensure long-term impact.
The Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Abdullahi Ribadu, said that the Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project aligns with the broader national digital economy agenda and supports the strategic goals of revitalising our university system through innovation, collaboration, and sustainable capacity development.
He reaffirmed that this first phase is only the beginning and called on other development partners to join in expanding the reach and impact of the Project beyond the 10 initial institutions.
“With a $40 million US dollar credit facility provided by the French Development Agency (AFD), this first phase of the Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project focuses specifically on strengthening digital infrastructure and ICT capabilities in 10 federal universities, selected through a competitive and merit-based process.
“The support will enable participating institutions to upgrade their digital infrastructure, automate administrative processes, enhance e-learning platforms, and build capacity for staff and faculty in digital skills,” he said.
Mr. Ribadu noted that the Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project signals a new chapter in university reform in Nigeria, anchored on digital innovation, strategic partnerships, and a clear commitment to quality and relevance in higher education.
“As implementation begins, the project is expected to lay the groundwork for a more digitally agile, globally competitive, and innovation-driven university system in Nigeria,” he added.
Meanwhile, the representative of the Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, one of the beneficiary institutions, Professor Amina Mustapha, said the ICT project is going to be a game changer as it will bring about transformation in teaching using Online resources.
“It will bring about a lot of transformations in the university, bearing in mind what we experienced during the COVID-19 era. It will also enable us to compete with other Universities in the world,” she said.
Vice-Chancellors and Project Team Leads from the 10 participating federal universities were presented with their letters at the event by the Minister of Education and the French Ambassador.