The National Universities Commission (NUC) has declared that Nigerian universities have earned over $114 million through performance-based disbursements, grants, and partnerships since 2019 from the Africa Centres of Excellence for Development Impact (ACE Impact) Project.

A major driver of economic growth and innovation in Nigeria’s higher education sector.

Speaking at the Pre-Closure Retreat in Abuja, Professor Abdullahi Ribadu, Executive Secretary of the NUC, declared that the project remain a major driver of economic growth and innovation for Nigeria’s higher education sector.

He said this project has proven that when universities are empowered, they become engines for national growth and regional leadership

In his remarks, the National Project Coordinator of ACE Impact Nigeria, Joshua Attah provided a compelling account of the project’s decade-long impact and achievements.

He highlighted that Nigeria’s ACE Centres have collectively attracted over $89.1 million through performance-based disbursements and independently generated more than ₦3.2 billion, alongside additional funds from international sources.

The Centres have trained over 33,000 students including nearly 7,000 postgraduate students and conducted over 3,479 industry-relevant internships.