Nigeria’s higher education sector has reached a major milestone in its digital transformation journey with the launch of the upgraded Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) integrated with the Tertiary Education, Research, Applications, and Services (TERAS) platform.
The new NgREN–TERAS integration, unveiled by the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja, marks a transformative step in modernizing teaching, learning, and research across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide.
A Milestone for Digital Transformation in Education
Speaking at the launch event, Honourable Minister of Education, Chief Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the initiative as a milestone in digital modernization for Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
He emphasized that the platform will enhance digital connectivity, drive institutional innovation, and strengthen research collaboration across Nigeria’s academic ecosystem.
“This initiative represents a new chapter in the modernization of teaching, learning, and research through technology and data-driven collaboration,” Dr. Alausa said.
What the NgREN–TERAS Integration Offers
The NgREN–TERAS ecosystem provides a unified digital infrastructure designed to foster seamless collaboration and data-driven education. Key features include:
- High-speed internet connectivity across tertiary campuses.
- Cloud computing infrastructure for scalable academic and research applications.
- Access to global research databases and e-libraries.
- Plagiarism detection systems and institutional analytics.
- High-performance computing resources for advanced research.
- Campus-wide Wi-Fi and cloud data centers for participating institutions.
These components together create a connected digital environment that enhances academic efficiency, transparency, and collaboration across the country’s higher education network.
Supported by the World Bank and National Agencies
The integration is supported by the World Bank under the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) and Africa Centres of Excellence (ACE) Impact projects.
The initiative also benefited from the leadership of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), both recognized for driving digital inclusion and modernization within Nigeria’s education sector.
Dr. Alausa commended these agencies for their commitment to digital innovation and capacity building within tertiary institutions, highlighting the importance of technology in creating a sustainable education ecosystem.
Aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda
The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed that the NgREN–TERAS integration aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes building a knowledge-driven economy anchored on technology, innovation, and inclusive education.
This initiative not only improves access to educational resources but also strengthens Nigeria’s position as a regional leader in digital education infrastructure.
“The digital infrastructure being rolled out will serve as a foundation for sustainable tertiary education reform, fostering transparency, innovation, and cost-effectiveness in academic service delivery,” Dr. Alausa added.
A Step Toward a Smarter, Connected Academic Future
With the launch of the NgREN–TERAS platform, Nigeria’s tertiary institutions are now better equipped to leverage digital tools for research collaboration, institutional efficiency, and global competitiveness.
The project stands as a key driver of Nigeria’s digital transformation in education, ensuring that students, educators, and researchers have access to the technology and data resources necessary for 21st-century learning.
