FG Launches ACE Alliance As PAMI-AUST Makes The List Of 20 Centers Chosen
Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal government of Nigeria has officially unveiled the Africa Centres of Excellence (ACE) Alliance alongside a comprehensive Compendium documenting the key achievements and impacts of the ACE Project.
The event, which took place at the National Universities Commission (NUC) headquarters reaffirmed the government's commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and sustainable development in higher education.
Disclosing this at the launch of the ACE Alliance, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the launch as a strategic milestone that strengthens collaboration, visibility, and global competitiveness among Nigeria’s leading research and postgraduate education hubs.
He further stated that the ACE Alliance unites all 20 ACE Centres established across Nigeria, transforming them into a dynamic network dedicated to shared learning and regional development.
“The ACE Project, funded by the World Bank and Agence Française de Développement (AFD) in partnership with the Federal Government, is a flagship initiative aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
"It showcases how strategic partnerships can propel sustainable growth and cement Nigeria’s leadership in higher education across the continent,” Dr. Alausa stated.
Since its inception in 2012 and official launch in 2014, the ACE Project has expanded to 53 Centres in 11 African countries, with Nigeria hosting the highest number of 17 Centres.
in addition to substantial resources mobilized from diverse partners. To date, more than 45,000 students from over 15 African countries have benefited from the Centres, receiving training in critical fields such as STEM, agriculture, and health.
Highlighting the human impact of the initiative, National Project Coordinator Dr. Joshua Atah noted that some Centres played vital roles during the COVID-19 pandemic, serving as research and testing facilities.
Dr. Atah emphasized that the ACE Alliance evolved from a project into a movement that drives innovation and delivers real solutions to Africa’s pressing challenges.
In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, applauded the Centres’ research outputs, which have led to patents, policy innovations, and market-ready solutions.
He underscored the importance of continued collaboration to sustain and enhance academic excellence.
Scherezad Latif, World Bank Manager for Education in Western and Central Africa, praised Nigeria’s leadership in higher education and announced plans for ACE Innovate, a new initiative focused on equipping African youthd with advanced skills and entrepreneurial capacity.
The event also featured the launch of a four-volume ACE Compendium, documenting research publications, researchers, and state-of-the-art facilities across the Centres.
After flagging off the ACE Alliance, the Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa toured the exhibition stands showcasing innovations from universities and research hubs.
At the Pan African Materials Institute ( PAMI) stand of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), the minister and all other invited guests who visited the PAMI stand were impressed by the in-house developed Nano PET bottle 3D printing Filament Recycler, portable ventilator and 3D printer, innovations that have potentials to enhance technological advancement and capacity building.
Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, President of AUST, expressed pride in the university’s contribution to innovation, emphasizing the role of technology in education and development.
The ACE Alliance represents a transformative step toward building a robust, collaborative, and innovation-driven higher education ecosystem in Africa, with Nigeria positioned at the forefront of this continental effort.