Ten Universities in Nigeria are among nineteen institutions approved by the World Bank’s Board of Directors to benefit from its $150 million earmarked to finance university-based Centres of Excellence in seven countries in West and Central Africa.
The World Bank said the competitively selected centres would receive funding for advanced specialized studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)- related disciplines, as well as in agriculture and health.
According to the World Bank, the project was put together, as a way to grow African economies, create jobs, and support research in Africa. It is to also educate young graduates with expertise in high-demand areas such as chemical engineering, crop science, and the control of infectious diseases.
The Vice President of World Bank for Africa, Makhtar Diop, said, “ I am excited to support these pioneering centres of excellence because they will be another step in building and nurturing specialized world-class higher education institutions on the continent”.
The ten universities benefiting from the facility in Nigeria include Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Universities of Benin, Jos, and Port Harcourt as well as Bayero University. Others include, Obafemi Awolowo University; Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; African University of Science and Technology; Benue State University and Redeemers University.
Other countries in West and Central Africa to benefit from the programme include Ghana, Senegal, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Togo and The Gambia.
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