BUK, 9 others to benefit from $38m digital transformation grant

By Kunle Sanni –

Bayero University, Kano (BUK) is among ten federal universities selected to benefit from a $38 million grant aimed at transforming Nigeria’s higher education sector through digital innovation and ICT development. The funding is part of the Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project, a Federal Government initiative supported by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

The project was officially launched on July 1, 2025, at the National Universities Commission (NUC) headquarters in Abuja. It is designed to establish smart campuses, promote hybrid learning, and enhance the digital infrastructure of universities across the country.

BUK was represented at the launch by its Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Development), Professor Amina Mustapha, who described the initiative as a groundbreaking intervention. She said it would address longstanding ICT challenges in the institution. She was accompanied by the Project Team Lead, Dr. Faruk Umar Ambursa.

“This intervention will enhance digital literacy, expand internet bandwidth, and provide access to modern ICT tools,” Mustapha stated. “It will ultimately improve teaching, learning, and research at BUK.”

She added that the project would reduce the cost of education delivery and improve graduate employability by equipping students with globally relevant digital skills.

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, hailed the initiative as a “golden opportunity” to reposition Nigerian universities for global competitiveness. He noted that the project would strengthen research infrastructure, support teacher training, and promote blended learning models.

Also present at the launch were the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu; the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Marc Fonbaustier; and AFD Country Director, Mr. Xavier Muron, who all participated in the formal awarding of grant letters to the ten institutions.

The ten selected federal universities, representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, are:

North-West: Bayero University, Kano

North-East: University of Maiduguri; Modibbo Adama University, Yola

North-Central: Federal University of Technology, Minna; University of Jos

South-West: University of Ibadan; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

South-East: University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

South-South: University of Calabar