India is preparing to open its first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in West Africa, marking a significant milestone in its global education outreach. Nigeria will host the new institute, which will follow the IIT Madras–Zanzibar model that successfully launched in 2023.
The plan was confirmed by Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, after a meeting with India’s High Commissioner, Abhishek Singh, in Abuja. Both countries agreed to collaborate in science, technology, and innovation-driven education, strengthening academic and cultural ties between the two nations.
The IIT campus will be set up at the Federal Government Academy in Suleja, known locally as the Nigerian Academy for the Gifted. The site was chosen for its strong academic base and potential to become a regional hub for science and technology. With India’s support, the academy will be transformed into a “centre of excellence.”
High Commissioner Abhishek Singh said the institute will operate under a shared model: India will provide faculty, curriculum design, and training, while Nigeria will build infrastructure and manage logistics. A joint Indo-Nigerian committee will oversee recruitment, course planning, and administration. The first batch of undergraduate and postgraduate students is expected to begin in 2026, focusing on engineering, technology, and research programs.
This initiative is part of India’s broader education diplomacy strategy inspired by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages top Indian universities to expand abroad and collaborate globally. After campuses in Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi, discussions are already underway to open more IIT branches in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the UK.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the move represents India’s intent to “share its academic expertise globally while fostering partnerships that promote innovation and knowledge exchange.”
By establishing IITs overseas, India aims to strengthen its reputation as a hub for world-class technical education while building deeper global partnerships in higher learning.
