Abuja, Nigeria – 1 July 2025
In a major push to modernise Nigeria’s public universities through digital innovation, the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) will, on 1st of July 2025, formally launch the Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project in Abuja. The initiative, backed by a €38 million financing from the French Government through AFD, aims to strengthen digital infrastructure and ICT capacity across selected Nigerian federal universities.
The formal launch, scheduled to take place in Abuja and hosted by the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, will bring together eminent dignitaries, including the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, the French Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Mr. Marc Fonbaustier, the Country Director of AFD, Mr. Xavier Muron, and Vice-Chancellors, and Project Team Leads from the 10 participating federal universities.
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 Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, during the official launch. He added that 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.”
In his remarks, the French Ambassador to Nigeria described the launch of the Blueprint Project as “a decisive leap forward in Nigeria’s pursuit of inclusive, innovative, and future-ready education.” 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.
Echoing this sentiment, the AFD Country Director 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,”. 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.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, stated 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 €38 million financing 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.
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.
Quote by the Minister of Education:
“The Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project is a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian education. It is about building smart campuses, empowering smart people, and nurturing smart ideas.
Quote by the ES, NUC:
“Our vision for the NUS is one where technology becomes the nervous system of our institutions.”
“Digital transformation must become the standard across public and private universities.”
Quote by Rep of HMoF
“The Federal Ministry of Finance, in its role as a key partner in mobilising resources for national development, is proud to support this groundbreaking endeavour. We recognise that investment in digital education and infrastructure is an investment in the future prosperity and competitiveness of Nigeria.”
Quote by the Ambassador:
“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.”
Quote by the Country Director AFD:
“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”.
About NUC
The NUC is a regulatory agency that is responsible for ensuring the orderly development and quality of university education in Nigeria. Its vision is to be a dynamic regulatory agency acting as a catalyst for positive change and innovation for the delivery of quality university education in Nigeria. It is responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of universities and their academic programmes. The NUC also plays a crucial role in the approval/establishment/recognition/licensing of universities in Nigeria.
Media Contact
Yvonne Orekyeh
Assistant Chief Communications Officer
+234 803 701 9330
www.nuc.edu.ng
About AFD
The AFD is a public financial institution that works to fight poverty and promote sustainable development, in line with policies defined by the French Government. It is active in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, the Caribbean and the French overseas territories, where it finances and supports projects which improve living conditions for populations, create jobs, facilitate economic growth, promote inclusive and resilient development and protect the planet.
Since 2008, the AFD has supported projects in Nigeria, spanning various development sectors, including (higher) education, renewable energy, energy efficiency, water resources, public transport, and disaster risk management.
Media Contact
Uloma NWALA
Assistante de Direction
Executive Assistant
+234 (0) 703 249 4771
#MondeEnCommun | http://nigeria-en.afd.fr
Plangnan DASHEN
Project Manager, Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training
+234 (0) 816 734 7825 #MondeEnCommun | http://nigeria-en.afd.fr