Abuja: The National Universities Commission (NUC) has announced the receipt of three million euros as the first tranche of a $40 million loan from the French Development Agency aimed at supporting Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) projects in Nigerian universities.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, disclosed this development during the inaugural meeting of the 13th NUC Board in Abuja. He stated that the ICT projects are set to be implemented in 10 selected universities across the country. Since taking office about a year ago, Ribadu has been instrumental in driving initiatives focused on research, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and skills development across Nigerian universities.
Prof. Ribadu explained, “We have secured a $40 million loan from the French Development Agency for the ICT Blueprint Project in 10 selected universities. The first tranche of three million euros has been deposited in our CBN account to kick-start the process.” He further elaborated on the commission’s efforts in strengthening internal financial management, expanding access to university education through the licensing of new private universities, and supporting the take-off of publicly funded universities. The NUC has also been actively involved in expanding open and distance learning centers and conducting system-wide quality assurance exercises.
He highlighted that the ongoing 2025 accreditation exercise remains a cornerstone of the commission’s efforts, while also seeking the board’s support in advancing these initiatives. Ribadu assured the board of the commission’s willingness to draw from the members’ expertise, emphasizing the importance of their collective experience in guiding the Nigerian university system.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the 13th NUC Board, Emeritus Prof. Oluremi Aina, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his consistent support of the university sector. Aina acknowledged that the board is assuming its responsibilities during a transitional period for higher education, with rising global standards and increasing expectations.
He detailed five central pillars that will guide the board’s work, which include performance evaluation, improved university rankings, digital literacy, research, and institutional reforms. Aina emphasized the board’s intention to fully leverage technology in its operations, stating, “We will seek to leverage technology to ease our burden through adoption of digital platforms for the advancement of our collective objectives.”