India to set up first IIT campus in West Africa as Nigeria joins global expansion plan

India’s network of premier engineering institutions, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), is set to expand overseas once again, with Nigeria preparing to host the first IIT campus in West Africa.

The move marks a major milestone in India’s global education outreach and reflects the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 vision to promote the international presence of Indian universities.

Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, confirmed the plan during a meeting with officials from the Indian High Commission in Abuja.

He said both countries are committed to strengthening cooperation in science, technology, and innovation education.

The new IIT Nigeria campus will be established at the Federal Government Academy (FGA) in Suleja, also known as the Nigerian Academy for the Gifted.

The site was selected for its strong academic foundation and potential to evolve into a regional hub for science and technology.

According to a statement by Nigeria’s Ministry of Education on X, the academy will be upgraded into a “center of excellence” with Indian support.

India’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, said the campus will follow the IIT Madras–Zanzibar model, with India providing faculty and training while Nigeria contributes infrastructure and logistics.

A joint Indo-Nigerian team will oversee planning, course design, and faculty recruitment.

The first batch of students is expected in 2026, enrolling in undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering, technology, and research.

The new campus is part of India’s broader plan to globalize its higher education system. IIT Madras opened its first overseas campus in Zanzibar in 2023, followed by IIT Delhi’s campus in Abu Dhabi in 2024.

India is also exploring potential IIT collaborations in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the UK.

The NEP 2020 has paved the way for this global expansion, encouraging Indian institutions to establish campuses abroad while inviting top foreign universities to India.

It also promotes joint degrees, research partnerships, and faculty exchanges to enhance cross-border knowledge sharing.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan earlier said India aims “to share its strengths with other countries while welcoming international students and researchers.”

For Nigeria, the IIT project promises access to world-class education and skill development in science and engineering.

For India, it signifies a new phase of educational diplomacy, strengthening bilateral ties, fostering innovation, and showcasing Indian academic excellence on the global stage.

By advancing collaboration in education and research, IIT Nigeria brings India’s NEP 2020 vision closer to reality, uniting two nations through shared learning and innovation.