By Alumona Ukwueze

Prof. Emenike Ejiogu, leader of a research team at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has revealed that the recently secured $3 million ICT grant, funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), will significantly enhance the university’s digital infrastructure.

Ejiogu, who also serves as the Director of the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Power and Energy Development (ACE-SPED) at UNN, made this known on Thursday. He explained that the grant would be used to acquire and install cutting-edge digital technologies aimed at upgrading ICT infrastructure and equipment across UNN’s three campuses.

“Our team submitted the proposal for this $3 million ICT grant in early 2023. Following a successful desk review, the National Universities Commission (NUC) and its consultants visited the university in January 2024,” he said.

He expressed joy that on July 1, 2025, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, officially presented the grant award certificate in Abuja to Prof. Oguejiofo Ujam, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of UNN.

According to Ejiogu, the grant will support the deployment of digital solutions in key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, energy and climate change, in addition to advancing teaching, learning, and research.

He further outlined plans to establish an Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twin Laboratory and promote inclusive learning environments. A specific focus, he added, would be placed on encouraging increased female participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through mentorship and capacity-building programmes.

Ejiogu said the proposal was built on a thorough assessment of existing gaps in ICT infrastructure and human resource development across the institution. “We’ve already identified priority needs across faculties, departments, and administrative units on the three campuses,” he said.

He added that funds had been allocated to install smart boards in all 17 lecture theatres across various faculties and provide computers in 15 computer laboratories, including language labs. “We also budgeted for boosting internet bandwidth across the three campuses,” he said.

A major portion of the grant, Ejiogu disclosed, would be used to train both staff and students in digital skills. “Many of the university’s administrative processes, including staff appraisals, student transcript processing, and exam records, will be digitised,” he noted.

Ejiogu, a former Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, also highlighted plans to digitalise UNN’s Sandwich Programme and strengthen its Centre for Distance and e-Learning (CDeL). “We intend to set up a digital recording studio for creating lecture content in digital formats,” he said.

Recently recognised as the Nigerian Content Innovator of the Year at the inaugural Champions of Nigerian Content Awards, Ejiogu praised the dedication of his research team. He also commended UNN’s management for fostering an enabling environment that contributed to the success of the grant application.

He assured that the team would continue striving for excellence to attract more research funding in the future.

It is worth noting that UNN was among the 10 Nigerian universities whose vice-chancellors received grant award certificates from the Minister of Education, Dr. Alausa, at the July 1 event in Abuja.

Other universities that benefited from the grant include the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), University of Ibadan (UI), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), University of Jos (UNIJOS), Bayero University Kano (BUK), Modibbo Adama University, Federal University of Technology Minna (FUTMINNA), and University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID).

Speaking on the development, the Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and the Ministry of Education for facilitating the grant.

“ICT infrastructure is very important in Nigerian universities, therefore, I consider this intervention a lifeline for research, and adequate delivery of quality education”, Prof. Ujam said.

Prof. Ujam stated that the project will open new horizons for the University of Nigeria, especially in the digitization of education for a wider reach to students and other stakeholders, and affiliates such as the Sandwich and CDeL programmes.