Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has been selected as one of ten federal universities to benefit from a $38 million ICT Development initiative funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) under the Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project of the Federal Government.
The landmark project, officially launched on Tuesday, 1st July 2025, at the National Universities Commission (NUC) headquarters in Abuja, aims to transform Nigeria’s tertiary education system through digital innovation, infrastructure, and the creation of smart campuses.
Representing the Vice Chancellor at the launch event was the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Development, Professor Amina Mustapha, accompanied by the BUK Project Team Lead, Dr. Faruk Umar Ambursa. Other dignitaries at the event included the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa; Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu; French Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Mr. Marc Fonbaustier; and AFD Country Director, Mr. Xavier Muron.
Vice Chancellors and Project Leads from the selected universities were also in attendance as the Minister presented grant award letters to the beneficiary institutions. The 10 selected universities represent all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria:
- North-West: Bayero University, Kano
- North-East: University of Maiduguri and Modibbo Adama University, Yola
- North-Central: Federal University of Technology, Minna and University of Jos
- South-West: University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
- South-East: University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
- South-South: University of Calabar
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Education emphasized that the project is designed to revolutionize higher education in Nigeria by promoting hybrid learning models, improving research infrastructure, strengthening digital systems, and enhancing teacher training through cutting-edge technologies. He described it as a "golden opportunity" for Nigerian universities to evolve into globally competitive institutions.
Professor Amina Mustapha expressed BUK’s readiness to fully implement the project’s objectives, noting that it will address critical ICT gaps in the university. “This intervention is expected to enhance digital literacy, provide modern ICT tools, expand internet bandwidth, and ultimately uplift the quality of teaching, learning, and research at BUK,” she stated.
She further explained that the Blueprint ICT-Dev Project will reduce the cost of educational service delivery, boost institutional productivity, and enhance the employability of BUK graduates by improving their digital competencies. It aligns with the NUC’s Blueprint for the Rapid Revitalization of University Education in Nigeria by maximizing the use of ICT infrastructure and developing human capacity.