By Waziri Mahdi Isa
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) has been officially selected as one of Nigeria’s premier institutions to participate in the transformative Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) program. The National Universities Commission (NUC) notified the university of this selection through a formal letter addressed to the Vice-Chancellor.
The NUC’s Executive Secretary, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, confirmed ABU’s inclusion in this strategic national initiative. In the notification letter, Professor Ribadu specifically cited the university’s “demonstrated potential and readiness to contribute meaningfully” to the project’s objectives as key factors in the selection decision.
The iDICE program represents a significant multi-stakeholder collaboration involving several major institutions. The Federal Government is participating through the Bank of Industry, working alongside key development partners including the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the French Development Agency (AFD). This powerful consortium has come together to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
This comprehensive program has been carefully designed to boost Nigeria’s digital economy through multiple approaches. A central component involves establishing state-of-the-art digital innovation hubs within selected universities across the country. Beyond infrastructure, the initiative focuses on promoting entrepreneurship in Nigeria’s growing technology and creative sectors. It aims to equip young Nigerians with essential 21st-century digital skills while fostering valuable partnerships between academia and industry.
At ABU, the project will find its home at the university’s International Centre of Excellence for Rural Finance and Entrepreneurship (ICERFE). The university has already begun preparations, with Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Raymond B. Bako convening a briefing session for the university’s iDICE team. Professor Sahalu B. Junaidu will lead this team as the Project Lead, overseeing the implementation of this important initiative.
ABU has assembled a strong, multidisciplinary team to ensure the successful implementation of the iDICE program. The team brings together expertise from across the university, including Professor M.K. Aliyu from the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, and Dr. Emmanuel Tsadu Ghana from the Department of Theatre and Performing Arts. Dr. Idris Bashir Bugaje will represent the hosting center, ICERFE, while Professor E.A. Adedokun, Director of IAIICT, contributes his institutional expertise. The team is rounded out by administrative representatives Malam Shehu Usman Lawal from the Registry and Jamilu Wada from the Student Affairs Division.
This selection marks an important recognition of ABU’s leadership position in digital innovation education. The program is expected to deliver multiple benefits to the university community and beyond. Students will gain enhanced entrepreneurship capabilities through access to cutting-edge resources and training.
The initiative will support the creation of job-oriented enterprises, addressing Nigeria’s employment challenges. For the university itself, the program will strengthen valuable industry linkages while contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s broader digital transformation agenda.
University administrators have expressed their appreciation to the NUC for this opportunity. They have reaffirmed ABU’s strong commitment to delivering on the program’s objectives through its network of established centers of excellence and by leveraging its interdisciplinary expertise across multiple faculties and departments.