In a landmark move to transform Nigeria’s higher education system, the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) will officially launch the Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project on July 1, 2025, in Abuja. The initiative, funded by a €38 million grant from the French government, seeks to upgrade digital infrastructure and enhance ICT capacity in select federal universities across Nigeria.
The launch event will be hosted by Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, Executive Secretary of the NUC, and attended by key stakeholders, including Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, Nigeria’s Minister of Education; Mr. Marc Fonbaustier, the French Ambassador to Nigeria; Mr. Xavier Muron, AFD Country Director; as well as vice-chancellors and project leads from the 10 participating federal universities**.
The Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project is a core part of Nigeria’s broader Blueprint for the Rapid Revitalisation of University Education, introduced by the NUC in 2018 to address systemic challenges in the country’s higher education sector. 
The AFD’s €38 million financing underscores France’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s education sector. The project aligns with the Nigerian government’s efforts to leverage digital solutions for improved learning outcomes and research competitiveness.
The NUC and AFD will monitor progress over the coming years, with potential expansion to more institutions if successful.
This collaboration marks a significant step in Nigeria’s push to digitally transform its public universities, ensuring they meet 21st-century educational demands. As other African nations invest in digital education, Nigeria’s partnership with France could set a benchmark for sustainable academic modernization.
