India, Nigeria to set up IIT campus

In a landmark move, India has partnered with the federal government of Nigeria to establish the first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in the West African country, in an effort to advance science, technology, and innovation driven education.

Education minister Maruf Tunji Alausa talked about the plans to set up an IIT campus in Nigeria during Indian high commissioner Abhishek Singh's visit to the ministry headquarters in Abuja. Alausa said that the proposed IIT Nigeria campus aligns with the Nigerian government’s commitment to delivering world-class education and positioning the country as a regional hub for technological excellence.

“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,” he said.

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The Federal Government Academy (FGA) in Suleja, also known as the Nigerian Academy for the Gifted has been proposed as the flagship site for the IIT project. The education minister explained that the academy is currently undergoing transformation into an autonomous centre of excellence. It will be ready to meet the IIT standards with the help of modernisation and private sector collaboration.

Nigeria sets up group

To expedite the process, the education ministry has formed a joint technical working group for immediate consultations and feasibility studies,

Reaffirming India’s commitment to deepening educational and technological relations with Nigeria, the Indian official said that the proposed IIT Nigeria project will draw inspiration from the IIT Madras Zanzibar campus, wherein India provides academic expertise, curriculum, and faculty, while the host nation offers infrastructure and institutional support. The model would serve as a catalyst for Africa’s educational advancement, he remarked.