The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a bold $40 million initiative aimed at transforming the country’s tertiary education sector through digital innovation and smart infrastructure. The project, titled Blueprint ICT Development (Blueprint-ICT-Dev), was officially flagged off on Tuesday in Abuja by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa.
The landmark project will be implemented in 10 federal universities selected as pilot institutions, marking a significant step toward the government’s goal of creating a digitally enabled, globally competitive higher education system.
The participating universities are:
- University of Calabar
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka
- University of Ibadan
- Federal University of Technology, Minna
- University of Maiduguri
- Bayero University, Kano
- Modibbo Adama University, Yola
- Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
- University of Jos
A Strategic Leap for Smart Education
Describing the initiative as a “strategic investment in the future of Nigerian education,” Alausa said the Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and underscores the administration’s commitment to digital transformation, inclusive learning, and human capital development.
“This project is about building smart campuses, empowering smart people, and nurturing smart ideas,” Alausa stated.
The initiative is expected to help digitise university administrative systems, enhance hybrid and cross-border learning programmes, and promote transnational academic partnerships.
It will also advance teacher training, modernise education data systems, and embed Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) into university curricula to support skills-based education.
Project Breakdown: Infrastructure, STEM and Connectivity
The Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project is structured into two core components:
- Component One – $38 million
Focused on direct ICT development in the 10 selected universities, this phase includes:
o Renovation and upgrade of digital infrastructure
o Enhanced campus internet connectivity
o Academic staff ICT capacity building
o Provision of digital learning resources for students
- Component Two – $2 million
This covers the development of a National STEM Transformation Strategy, including:
o Establishment of a national committee
o Labour market research
o Public awareness campaigns
o STEM pilot projects in select institutions
Speaking at the launch, Joshua Atah, Coordinator of Special Projects at the National Universities Commission (NUC), said the project is designed to position Nigerian universities as hubs of innovation and technological progress.
The plan also includes the integration of all 10 pilot universities into the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) and the development of digital libraries and research management platforms to support academic output.
Digital Reform as a Catalyst for Academic Excellence
The Executive Secretary of the NUC, Abdullahi Ribadu, hailed the project as a critical milestone in Nigeria’s educational reform journey.
“With this privilege comes responsibility. Success will be measured not just by infrastructure, but by the lives transformed,” Ribadu said.
He urged the participating universities to approach the initiative with long-term commitment and innovation, ensuring that investments lead to meaningful improvements in teaching, learning, and research outcomes.
