The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated the Blueprint ICT Development Project, investing $40 million to revolutionize the nation’s tertiary education system through enhanced digital infrastructure and innovation.

Announced on Tuesday in Abuja, the project will be rolled out in 10 federal universities across the country.

According to Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, the initiative signifies a renewed commitment to digital transformation, inclusive education, and the development of human capital.

“This project is a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian education. It’s about building smart campuses, empowering smart people, and nurturing smart ideas,” Alausa said.

He emphasized that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and is expected to become a model for innovation and international collaboration in higher education.

Dr. Alausa further explained that the project will help universities digitize administrative systems, develop hybrid and cross-border academic programs, and strengthen transnational education partnerships.

“The initiative would promote teacher training, improve education data systems, and integrate Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across university curricula to support skills-based learning,” he added.

Other key focus areas include developing digital libraries, improving research management systems, and connecting all participating universities to the Nigerian Research and Education Network.

According to the Coordinator of Special Projects at the NUC, Dr. Joshua Atah, the project consists of two main components:

Component One ($38 million): This focuses on ICT upgrades in 10 selected federal universities, covering renovation of digital infrastructure, enhanced campus connectivity, training for academic staff, and provision of digital resources for students.

Component Two ($2 million): This will finance the development of a National STEM Transformation Strategy, including the formation of a steering committee, labour market research, awareness campaigns, and STEM pilot projects.

The 10 universities selected to pilot the Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project are:

University of Calabar; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Ibadan; Federal University of Technology, Minna; University of Maiduguri; Bayero University, Kano.

Others are Modibbo Adama University, Yola; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; and University of Jos, Plateau.