The National Universities Commission (NUC) has announced plans to roll out its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Blueprint Project in 10 selected Nigerian universities, a move aimed at improving teaching, learning, and digital capacity across campuses.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, revealed this during the inaugural meeting of the 13th NUC Board held on Wednesday at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. He confirmed that the NUC has already received €3 million as the first tranche of a $40 million loan from the French Development Agency, which will support the project’s implementation.
Prof. Ribadu explained that since assuming office nearly a year ago, the Commission has pushed forward several key initiatives in research, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and skills development within the university system. He noted that the ICT Blueprint Project represents another major step in modernizing Nigerian higher education.
According to him, the Commission has strengthened financial management processes, licensed new private universities, approved additional programmes and units, expanded open and distance learning centres, and supported the establishment of publicly funded institutions. He added that the 2025 Accreditation Exercise is currently underway as part of efforts to maintain quality assurance across universities.
“These priorities remain central to the Commission’s direction, and I look forward to your support in advancing them,” he told the Board members.
Prof. Ribadu also assured the Board of his team’s full cooperation, emphasizing that their collective expertise will play a crucial role in guiding the Nigerian university system at a time of rapid global change in higher education.
Chairman of the 13th NUC Board, Emeritus Professor Oluremi Raphael Aina, expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his continued commitment to strengthening the university sector. He noted that the Board is taking up its responsibilities during a period of significant transition, with global standards rising and expectations increasing.
Aina outlined five key pillars that will guide the Board’s work: evaluating NUC’s performance and legal framework, aligning with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, addressing obstacles to university quality, expanding funding sources, and improving staff welfare and regulatory capacity.
He stressed the need for bold reforms, enhanced digital literacy, strengthened research output, and improved global and webometric rankings for Nigerian universities. He also underscored the importance of leveraging technology to support the Board’s work and improve efficiency.
“This Board carries the expectations and aspirations of the Nigerian people,” he said, reaffirming the Board’s commitment to delivering impactful results for the country’s higher education system.
