The French Government, through its development agency Agence Française de Développement (AFD), has approved a $40 million investment for the implementation of the “Blueprint-ICT Development Project” across selected Nigerian universities.

This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdulahi Yusufu Ribadu, during a meeting with AFD’s Country Director, Mr. Xavier Muron, in Abuja. Ribadu lauded AFD as a vital development partner in enhancing Nigeria’s university system.

The ICT-Dev project will focus on revitalizing ICT infrastructure and building capacity in ten selected institutions. Professor Ribadu emphasized that the NUC is committed to hosting the launch ceremony, during which certificates will be awarded to the participating universities. The event is tentatively scheduled for the second week of July and will involve key stakeholders, including Nigeria’s Minister of Education and the French Ambassador.

The initiative aligns with the conclusion of the African Centres of Excellence (ACE-Impact) programme, co-funded by the World Bank and AFD, which officially winds down by the end of June 2025. Ribadu stressed the importance of sustaining the ACE programme beyond its initial funding by fostering institutional collaboration under the ACE-Alliance.

Since its launch in 2014, the ACE programme has significantly transformed Nigeria’s academic landscape, generating over ₦3.2 billion in revenue and drawing 924 foreign students. As the second phase of the ACE initiative—ACE-Impact—nears completion, NUC is urging universities to transition their centres into permanent assets and develop independent sustainability strategies.

Mr. Muron affirmed AFD's commitment to ensuring a timely rollout of the ICT-Dev project and revealed plans to also invest in the upcoming Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) initiative. He called for coordinated efforts between the ICT-Dev and iDICE projects to avoid duplication.

AFD is also involved in other education-related efforts in Nigeria, such as agricultural vocational training and collaboration with the Federal Housing Authority to develop affordable student housing under the Family Home Fund—still pending approval at the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The AFD delegation included Project Manager for Education, Ms. Dashen Plangnam, while the NUC team featured Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration), Mr. Chris Maiyaki, and other senior directors.