The Federal Government says it is working to reposition Nigerian universities and restore their reputation globally. The Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, stated this in Abuja while inaugurating the African Centres of Excellence (ACE) Alliance. The ACE Alliance brings together all 20 Centres of Excellence currently hosted in 17 Nigerian universities.
The Centres were first established in 2014 under a World Bank-supported programme aimed at strengthening specialized training and research in fields such as science, engineering, agriculture and health. Nigeria hosts the highest number of Centres under the programme, which has attracted students and researchers from several African countries.
The project officially ended in June 2025, but the National Universities Commission introduced the ACE Alliance to sustain and build on the progress already made. The Minister said the initiative is part of broader efforts to improve the academic standing and global ranking of Nigerian universities. He said the Centres have helped position Nigeria as a hub for high-quality research and training on the continent.
The National Project Coordinator, Dr. Joshua Atah, said the Centres have attracted significant funding, produced graduates at both master’s and doctoral levels, and facilitated research publications and internships that link universities with industry. He added that the programme has also strengthened international collaborations and contributed to the growth of research capacity within the participating universities.
The Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, described the outcome of the project as a demonstration of what can be achieved when institutions are given clear goals, resources and accountability.
