The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with the Government of India on the establishment of a Nigerian campus of the globally acclaimed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), as part of ongoing efforts to advance science, technology, and innovation driven education in the country.
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa (CON), made this known during a courtesy visit by the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency Abhishek Singh, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Dr. Alausa described the initiative as a landmark step in Nigeria India educational cooperation and a key milestone in achieving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on human capital development. He said the proposed IIT Nigeria campus aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering world-class education and positioning Nigeria as a regional hub for technological excellence.
He said, “You are indeed speaking to a ready and enthusiastic partner. The IITs are not just universities; they are institutions of global excellence. This initiative will elevate the quality of technical and scientific education in Nigeria and stand as a powerful symbol of India Nigeria friendship.”
The Minister identified the Federal Government Academy (FGA), Suleja also known as the Nigerian Academy for the Gifted as the proposed flagship site for the project. He explained that the Academy, which nurtures highly talented students, is currently undergoing transformation into an autonomous centre of excellence. With modernization and private sector collaboration, it will be well positioned to meet IIT standards.
To fast-track implementation, Dr. Alausa announced the establishment of a joint technical working group to begin immediate consultations and feasibility studies. He named his Special Assistant Dr. Layi Olatawura, and the Principal of the Federal Government Academy, Mrs. Mary Millicent Nnawuogo, as the designated contact persons to work directly with the Indian High Commission.
Dr. Alausa commended India’s consistent contributions to Nigeria’s human capital development, particularly through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, which has trained over 27,000 Nigerians, and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships. He also acknowledged the historic impact of Indian teachers in Nigeria, many of whom taught in both urban and rural schools and inspired generations of learners in core subjects such as mathematics, chemistry, and physics.
He further praised the establishment of Indian-owned universities and the active Indian business community in Nigeria, noting their contributions to the country’s manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and technology sectors. The Minister lauded the IIT system as a model of merit, innovation, and excellence whose graduates have gone on to lead major international corporations such as Google, Microsoft, and PepsiCo.
In his remarks, the Indian High Commissioner, His Excellency Abhishek Singh, reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepening educational and technological cooperation with Nigeria. He highlighted the strong historical and people-to-people ties between the two nations, strengthened by the presence of over 50,000 persons of Indian origin in Nigeria.
He said the proposed IIT Nigeria project will draw inspiration from the successful IIT Madras Zanzibar campus, where India provides academic expertise, curriculum, and faculty, while the host nation offers infrastructure and institutional support. According to him, the IIT Nigeria model would serve as a flagship cooperation and a catalyst for Africa’s educational advancement.
In her remarks, Mrs. Mary Millicent Nnawuogo, Principal of the Federal Government Academy, Suleja, expressed appreciation for the consideration of the academy as the potential host of the IIT campus. She noted that the partnership would create unprecedented opportunities for gifted Nigerian students to access world-class education and compete globally in innovation and technology.
Both delegations reaffirmed their shared commitment to ensuring that the proposed IIT Nigeria project becomes a sustainable centre of academic excellence, innovation, and partnership, capable of transforming the educational landscape of Nigeria and further strengthening the enduring Nigeria India relationship.
Signed
Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press and Public Relations
