Why IIT is Going Global: India Opens Campus in West Africa, Nigeria?

India will establish its first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in West Africa, with Nigeria selected as the host country. The initiative is part of India’s international education outreach under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes global collaboration and encourages Indian universities to expand overseas.

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Why is IIT being Opened in Nigeria?

The initiative is part of India’s wider plan to expand its higher education network globally. IIT Madras launched its first international campus in Zanzibar in 2023, followed by IIT Delhi’s campus in Abu Dhabi in 2024. Further discussions are underway to open IITs in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the UK.

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Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, confirmed the development after meeting officials from the Indian High Commission in Abuja. He said both countries are committed to strengthening cooperation in science, technology, and innovation-driven education.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Education announced on X that the new IIT campus will be located at the Federal Government Academy (FGA) in Suleja, also called the Nigerian Academy for the Gifted. The site was chosen for its academic strength and potential to become a regional hub for science and technology. 

The ministry added that the academy will be upgraded into a “centre of excellence” with India’s support. India’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, said the project will be modeled on the IIT Madras Zanzibar campus. “India will provide faculty, curriculum design, and training support, while Nigeria will develop the infrastructure and handle local logistics,” he said. A joint Indo Nigerian team will manage planning, recruitment, and course design. 

First Batch to Begin from 2026 Onwards 

The first batch of undergraduate and postgraduate students is expected to begin classes in 2026, focusing on engineering, technology, and research. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said India aims “to share its strengths with other countries while welcoming international students and researchers.” He said the global expansion of IITs reflects India’s focus on strengthening higher education partnerships.

The IIT campus in Nigeria will deliver top-tier education and strengthen technical skills in science and engineering.

For India, it marks a strategic step in education diplomacy, deepening ties with Nigeria, advancing joint research, and projecting its academic strength globally.

India’s NEP 2020 Goals

Through this partnership, IIT Nigeria turns India’s NEP 2020 goals into action, expanding its reach through every new campus, country, and student.

Under NEP 2020, Indian universities are encouraged to set up campuses abroad and host leading global universities in India. The policy also promotes joint degrees, research collaborations, and faculty exchanges to enhance international academic cooperation.