The Economy 
FG inaugurates 25-member committee to establish Nigerian Education Data Initiative
The Nigerian Government has unveiled a bold technological roadmap for the digilisation of federal government-owned universities across the country.
Tagged Blueprint ICT Development Project (Blueprint-ICT-Dev), the Federal Government said it had earmarked $40 million for the universities digitalisation initiative targeted for 10 universities in the first instance.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, while announcing the project in Abuja on Tuesday said the project is aimed at providing digital infrastructure in the universities towards the transformation of the country’s tertiary education system.
The 10 universities selected to pilot the multimillion dollar digitalisation projects are University of Calabar, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Ibadan, Federal University of Technology, Minna and University of Maiduguri.
Otherd are Bayero University, Kano, Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and University of Jos
He said the project reflects a renewed national focus on digital transformation, inclusive education, and human capital development.
He said: “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.
“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.”
According to the minister, other focus areas include the development of digital libraries, enhancement of research management systems, and connection of all participating universities to the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN).
Providing further details, Coordinator of Special Projects, National Universities Commission (NUC), Dr. Joshua Atah, said the project is structured into two main components:
He said Component One valued at $38 million will support ICT upgrades in the 10 selected federal universities to cover for renovation of digital infrastructure, improve campus connectivity, academic staff training, and provision of digital resources for students.
Component Two is valued at $2 million, meant to fund the development of a National STEM Transformation Strategy, covering committee formation, labour market research, awareness campaigns, and STEM pilot initiatives.
