In a major boost to Nigeria’s higher education system, the National Universities Commission (NUC) and France’s Agence Française de Développement (AFD) have signed a €38 million agreement to digitally transform ten federal universities across the country.
The new initiative, called Blueprint-ICT-Dev, was officially launched in Abuja and aims to upgrade ICT infrastructure, modernize e-learning platforms, and build the digital skills of both students and faculty.
The funding will cover state-of-the-art computer labs, high-speed campus internet, smart classrooms, and specialized training programs to prepare students for a rapidly evolving digital economy.
Speaking at the launch, NUC Executive Secretary Prof. Chris Maiyaki emphasized that the program aligns with Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), which targets widespread digital literacy and innovation-driven growth.
“This partnership goes beyond hardware — it’s about developing our students’ capacity to compete globally,” Maiyaki said.
The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann, described the collaboration as a testament to France’s commitment to strengthening educational and technological ties with Nigeria.
