Oladele Oduniyi
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has received €3 million as the first segment of a €40 million loan secured from the French Development Agency to fund ICT projects in 10 selected Nigerian Universities.
According to Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, Executive Secretary of the Commission, the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen research, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and skills development across the university system, noting that the Commission has made significant strides since he assumed office a year ago.
Ribadu stated thus:
“We have secured €40 million loan from the French Development Agency for the ICT Blueprint Project in 10 selected universities. The first tranche of 3 million euros has been deposited in our CBN account to kick-start the process.
“We have strengthened internal financial management, expanded access to university education through the licensing of new private universities, and approved new programs and units.
“We have also supported the take-off of publicly funded universities, expanded open and distance learning centers, and continued system-wide quality assurance exercises. Currently, the 2025 Accreditation Exercise is ongoing”