UNIJOS TO DEEPEN DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AS NUC EXPANDS ICT BLUEPRINT

The University of Jos is poised to deepen its digital transformation following its selection as one of ten beneficiary institutions under the National Universities Commission's (NUC) Blueprint ICT Development Project, a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening teaching, learning, research and university administration through the strategic deployment of digital technologies.

The development was reaffirmed at the inaugural meeting of the Project Implementation Committee (PIC), where the Executive Secretary of the NUC and Chairman of the Committee, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, announced that the successful implementation of the pilot phase would provide the foundation for expanding the initiative across the Nigerian University System (NUS).

Funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the Blueprint ICT Development Project is designed to modernise ICT infrastructure, promote innovation and position Nigerian universities to compete more effectively in an increasingly digital and knowledge-driven global environment.

Speaking at the meeting, Professor Ribadu described the project as a strategic investment in the future of higher education, emphasising that it extends far beyond the provision of computers and network infrastructure. According to him, the initiative is a deliberate effort to reposition Nigerian universities for excellence by fostering innovation, improving teaching, learning and public service delivery, and equipping graduates with the digital competencies required to thrive in the twenty-first-century economy.

He further assured stakeholders that the Project Implementation Committee would uphold the highest standards of transparency, accountability and professionalism throughout the implementation process by ensuring effective oversight, stakeholder engagement and prudent utilisation of project resources.

For the University of Jos, participation in the pilot phase represents another significant milestone in its commitment to digital innovation and institutional excellence. The initiative is expected to strengthen the University's ICT infrastructure, enhance collaborative teaching and research, improve administrative efficiency, and expand access to world-class technology-enabled learning for students and staff.

Providing an update on implementation, the NUC Director of Special Projects and Project Coordinator, Dr Joshua Atah, disclosed that despite initial procedural delays, the project has made significant progress and is entering a phase of accelerated implementation.

The Project Management Officer, Engr. Afolabi Ogunnusi, presented a comprehensive progress report covering activities from the commencement of the project in October 2025 through July 2026. His presentation highlighted the Blueprint's ICT development vision, STEM transformation strategy, governance framework, implementation milestones, key achievements, emerging challenges, and priorities for the next phase.

Members of the Project Implementation Committee commended the NUC and the Agence Française de Développement for the progress recorded and expressed confidence in the project's capacity to drive sustainable digital transformation across Nigeria's higher education sector.

The Blueprint ICT Development Project seeks to deploy harmonised and integrated digital platforms that support collaborative teaching, learning and research among participating universities. The initiative also provides for high-capacity networking infrastructure, enterprise ICT services, the integration of digital technologies into institutional processes, and capacity development for technical and administrative personnel to ensure sustainability and alignment with international best practices.

The University of Jos joins nine other leading Nigerian universities selected for the pilot phase of the project: the University of Ibadan, the University of Maiduguri, Modibbo Adama University, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Bayero University Kano, the Federal University of Technology, Minna, the University of Calabar, Obafemi Awolowo University and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

As implementation progresses, the University remains committed to leveraging the opportunities presented by the Blueprint ICT Development Project to strengthen academic excellence, expand research collaboration, enhance service delivery and contribute meaningfully to the digital transformation of Nigeria's higher education system.

The NUC expressed confidence that the lessons and outcomes of the pilot phase would provide a solid foundation for scaling the initiative across universities nationwide, thereby advancing technology-enabled education and supporting Nigeria's broader national development agenda.

Tongdyen D. S. Dachung
Principal Assistant Registrar, Information and Publications
Communications Officer, Blueprint ICT Development Project

26.07.2026