Nigerian Research and Education Network

The Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) was represented at the 114th Bi-Annual Meeting of the Association of University Librarians of Nigerian Universities held at the Idris Abdulkadir Auditorium, National Universities Commission (NUC), Abuja on 5 May, 2026.

At the event, Chinedu Otuya, Chief ICT Officer, Directorate of Special Projects, NUC, represented the Director, Directorate of Special Projects, NUC, Dr Joshua Atah, to deliver a goodwill message focused on Open Access Publishing, Open Science, digital transformation, and research visibility within the Nigerian University System.

The message emphasised the critical role of university libraries in supporting teaching, learning, research, and scholarly communication, while also highlighting the growing importance of accessible and interoperable digital knowledge ecosystems.

NgREN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigerian universities and academic libraries through:
1. High-speed connectivity
2. Federated identity and access services
3. Institutional repository support
4. Research visibility initiatives such as NIRIS (https://niris.ngren.edu.ng/home)
5. Access to collaborative digital platforms and scholarly resources (High Performance Computing, Moodle LMS, ProQuest, EBSCOHost, MATLAB, and Anti-plagiarism software).


A key highlight shared during the meeting was NgREN’s recent admission into eduGAIN under GÉANT, connecting Nigerian universities to a trusted global identity federation ecosystem spanning over 100 countries and thousands of service providers. This milestone strengthens seamless access to international scholarly resources, global collaboration opportunities, and secure digital trust infrastructure for the Nigerian research and education community.

NgREN appreciates AULNU for fostering conversations that advance Open Access Publishing, Open Science, and the future of academic libraries in Nigeria.

The West and Central African Research and Education Network (WACREN) has concluded a leadership workshop for LIBSENSE Open Science Early Career Researchers (ECR) aimed at advancing open science practices within the region.

The two-day pilot workshop hosted by the Nigeria Research and Education Network (NgREN) at the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Abuja, held from April 28 to 29, 2026. Bringing together about 30 ECR leads from educational institutions across the country, the workshop was designed as an intensive co-creation programme to develop a network and equip participants with the skills to drive institutional change and promote open science principles.

Addressing participants on the second day of the workshop, the Director of Special Projects at the NUC, and Programme Manager of NgREN, Dr Joshua Atah, urged the ECR Leads to actively promote open science within their academic communities. He emphasised the importance of engagement and collaboration in strengthening research systems nationwide.

According to Atah, researchers must take responsibility for educating their peers and encouraging participation in open science initiatives, noting that sustained efforts at the institutional level are critical to building a robust and transparent research ecosystem.

He also reaffirmed the NUC’s commitment in line with the directive of the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, to support universities with the necessary digital infrastructure, stressing that the commission remains focused on delivering on its mandate to enhance research and innovation across the country.

Declaring the workshop open on April 28, the Chief Strategy Officer of WACREN, Dr Omo Oaiya, said the initiative seeks to foster collaboration and strengthen leadership capacity among early-career researchers.

He explained that participants would engage in practical sessions focused on promoting open science and co-developing tools to support ECR-led communities within their institutions.

“Together, we aim to build your capacity for advocacy and leadership in open science, equipping you with the skills needed to engage institutional leadership and establish sustainable research communities on campus,” he said.

Oaiya added that a key outcome of the workshop would be the development of an open-access, shareable toolkit to support network-building among early-career researchers across the region.

Also speaking, Professor Pamela Abbott encouraged participants to take an active role in shaping the LIBSENSE ECR framework ahead of its broader rollout across Africa. She urged them to leverage the opportunity to connect with like-minded researchers and champion reforms in research culture.

“This is more than a training programme; it is an opportunity to become catalysts for open science in Nigeria and to help establish a model for the wider African research community,” she said.

https://excellencenewsletter.ng/2026/05/02/nuc-urges-replication-of-open-science-initiative-as-wacren-trains-early-career-researchers/

NUC Urges Replication of Open Science Initiative as WACREN Trains Early Career Researchers Emmanuel Daudu-Abuja The West and Central African Research and Education Network (WACREN) has concluded a leadership workshop for LIBSENSE Open

The operational and governance structure of the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) will be restructured to reflect its eventual integration with the Tertiary Education, Research, Applications and Services (TERAS).

Disclosing this recently at the 12th meeting of the NgREN Board, the Board Chairman, Osita Chidoka, explained that the development will eliminate duplication of services provided by both organisations, reduce costs, improve efficiency, and create a variety of services.

While mandating a technical committee comprising leaders from both organisations, the Chairman urged them to establish a single organisation, a unified governance structure, and a streamlined service delivery system.

He added that beneficiary institutions will be free to select from the comprehensive range of services that the integrated organisations will offer, based on their needs.

The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, had directed that both organisations be integrated, their services harmonised, and made accessible to educational institutions. TETFUND was also instructed to provide connectivity support to its beneficiary institutions, to reduce duplication of government resources and achieve cost efficiency.

NgREN is one of the member Research & Education Networks (RENs) within the West and Central African Research and Education Network (WACREN). NgREN was established in 2012 by the NUC in collaboration with the Committee of Vice-Chancellors (CVC) and Nigerian universities, with support from the World Bank. It aims to create an elaborate infrastructural backbone that links all research and educational institutions in Nigeria and connects them with other RENs across the globe for knowledge exchange. TERAS, on the other hand, is a service sponsored by TETFund which provides a centralised hub for tertiary education services, fostering collaboration, efficiency, and innovation by providing a wide range of capabilities and functionalities for tertiary education institutions, students, researchers, and the entire education ecosystem.

Addressing the board members, Dr Joshua Atah, Director of Special Projects at the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Managing Director of NgREN, outlined the current structure and evolution of NgREN.

He explained how the network is physically interconnected via regional and global routes, with bandwidth allocation determined by the capacity of the last-mile connections.

Atah highlighted that NgREN, which connects universities, colleges, and research institutions across Nigeria, was established as a non-profit limited liability entity in 2014, following approval of the Federal Government, and has received support from various development partners, including the World Bank.
He observed that although funding challenges have persisted since 2015, the network continues to deliver vital services such as cloud computing, MATLAB, and repository access across institutions. He also provided insight into infrastructural challenges over the years, the process of integration with the TERAS platform, urgent requirements, immediate next steps, and other recommendations. He emphasised the importance of leveraging existing infrastructure rather than constructing new systems and highlighted the need to develop a centralised database to manage and coordinate interventions effectively, with a plan to present a comprehensive strategy to stakeholders.


Representing TERAS, the Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Engr. Joseph Odo discussed the development and deployment of TERAS, which offers access to tertiary education services, data, and analytics for students, lecturers, and administrators.

According to him, the platform currently offers 11 active services, including learning management systems, productivity tools, and research databases like EBSCO, which are available to up to 300 institutions at aggregated pricing. The platform is utilised by an average of 7,000 daily users and can be accessed via desktop and mobile applications, with plans to incorporate more services and extend its reach.

The board reviewed the current state of connectivity among higher education institutions in Nigeria and explored ways to enhance it. The presentation proposed that TERAS concentrate on content provision while NgREN manages connectivity infrastructure and identity federation. Proposal to the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy regarding fibre extension to campuses was also discussed, along with the need for capacity building and interconnection of campuses.

Discussions also covered the sustainability and maintenance of government infrastructure, balancing government revenue expectations with free access by various agencies, potential collaboration between NgREN and Galaxy Backbone, the importance of sectoral research and education networks, and the necessity of aggregating educational services like Moodle and Blackboard without forcing institutions to adopt specific platforms. The current fibre infrastructure and its connection to tertiary institutions were also examined.

Members unanimously agreed on the importance of centralising bandwidth allocation and directed the technical committee to oversee the harmonisation of the services. A follow-up meeting was scheduled to review reports and develop a forward plan.

https://excellencenewsletter.ng/2026/03/04/ngren-to-be-restructured-as-it-integrates-teras-chidoka-reveals/

NgREN to be Restructured as it Integrates TERAS, Chidoka Reveals The operational and governance structure of the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) will be restructured to reflect its eventual

NgREN is committed to strengthening digital research infrastructure across Nigeria. This session will demonstrate how DrillBit integrates seamlessly within university systems to promote originality and academic excellence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0mJT-4qHAU

PRESS STATEMENT
Enhanced Global Collaboration for Nigerian Researchers as NgREN is Admitted into eduGAIN

Nigerian higher education institutions have recorded a significant milestone in global digital trust identity infrastructure with the admission of the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) into the Education Global Authentication Infrastructure (eduGAIN).

This was announced by the NgREN on Tuesday, following the signing of the declaration of membership by its Managing Director, Dr Joshua Atah.

The eduGAIN Inter-federation service connects Identity Federations around the world, simplifying access to content, services and resources for the global research and education community. eduGAIN comprises participation of over 100 countries from around the world and more than 10,000 Identity and Service Providers.

In a statement by Dr Atah, he indicated that this achievement will greatly benefit Nigerian institutions through enhanced collaboration opportunities, secure access to international scholarly resources, and improved trust frameworks for digital services with the global academic community. He added that this positions Nigeria’s higher education firmly on the global stage, enabling institutions to access a wide range of international resources and services.

The approval, according to the statement, followed a rigorous assessment and voting process conducted by the eduGAIN Assembly.

eduGAIN, which operates under the auspices of GÉANT, connects identity federations worldwide, enabling secure, trusted, and seamless access to online research and education services across borders. Membership allows Nigerian universities and research institutions federated under NgREN to participate fully in the global inter-federation ecosystem.

According to Dr Atah, NgREN expresses its sincere appreciation to the eduGAIN Chair, Steering Committee, and Assembly Members for their diligence in assessing and approving the federation’s application.

He said, “As Nigeria’s National Research and Education Network, NgREN remains committed to strengthening digital trust identity, enabling secure federated access, and supporting innovation across the higher education and research ecosystem.”

NgREN is Nigeria’s national research and education network, dedicated to providing advanced ICT infrastructure, identity federation services, and collaborative platforms for universities and research institutions across the country. It ensures that research institutions in Nigeria can operate at the frontiers of knowledge and innovation. By providing reliable connectivity, cloud hosting, and digital identity services. NgREN is helping educational and research institutions translate their research into real-world impact.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has urged all universities in Nigeria especially those selected for the Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project to leverage on the infrastructure of the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) in other to achieve the objective of strengthening its digital infrastructure and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capacity.

Speaking at the formal launch of the Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project Tuesday in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu described the NgREN as central to the objectives of the project given the tremendous benefits they will derive from collective participation on the network.
According to Prof Ribadu, the tools and services offered on NgREN are indispensable if our universities are to compete globally and collaborate meaningfully. Describing them as the bedrock of quality assurance, academic integrity, and impactful research.

“I also urge all Vice-Chancellors to view the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) as more than just a broadband network, but rather as the digital lifeline of our academic community. I encourage you all to embrace it as a platform for providing access to shared, cross-cutting resources that are essential for a modern university,” he added.

NgREN is a high-speed network infrastructure designed to support research and education in Nigeria, identity federation, e-content, and network security services to support online teaching and learning. It provides a world-class research and education network in Africa, facilitating efficient network infrastructure, services, and applications. Initially covering about 27 federal universities, the NUC, and the Secretariat of the Council of Vice-Chancellors (CVC) in Abuja. It has since expanded to connect several institutions, including about 23 World Bank-supported Centres of Excellence in the Nigerian University System.

Speaking earlier at the launch, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa explained that from digital libraries to research management systems, the Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project will enable the institutions to compete globally in research, innovation, and development. “It will also promote interdisciplinary collaboration, facilitate knowledge sharing, and position our universities as drivers of a knowledge economy.”

The Minister described the project as not just a technological upgrade, but a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian education. “It is about building smart campuses, empowering smart people, and nurturing smart ideas. It is about restoring hope, in line with the vision of Mr. President, to a sector that holds the key to national renewal.”

In his remark, the AFD Country Director, Mr. Xavier Muron revealed that the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), see digital transformation not as a passing trend, but as a pillar for building future-ready and resilient societies.

He explained that the Blueprint Project is so important, as it aligns with the agency’s long-standing commitment to achieve the specific objectives of: strengthening higher education systems, as seen in its support to initiatives like ACE Impact project targeting African Centres of Excellence, and aiming at enhancing academic quality and research capacity across West Africa. It also seeks to foster digital skills among youth, building on programmes such as IDICE (Investing in Digital and Creative Enterprises), where it equips young Nigerians with practical digital and entrepreneurial tools for a better employability. And driving institutional reform and innovation, through governance strengthening and integrated capacity-building.

“With this project, we are enabling selected Nigerian universities to develop ICT-driven solutions that serve not only academic needs, but broader socio-economic goals,” he added.

The Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project is a flagship intervention within the broader framework of the Blueprint for the Rapid Revitalisation of the Nigerian University System (the Blueprint Project), developed in 2018 by the National Universities Commission (NUC). The Blueprint identified 15 strategic components critical to repositioning the university system. Among these, ICT was rightly recognised as the fulcrum upon which the other components must rest.

In recognition of this, and in a bid to address systemic challenges through digital transformation, the NUC, with the support of the Federal Government, sought international development assistance. The French Development Agency (AFD) responded with a $40 million credit facility targeted specifically at the ICT component of the Blueprint Project.