The Federal Ministry of Education has launched an upgraded Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) integrated with the Tertiary Education, Research, Applications and Services (TERAS) platform, under plan to deepen digital connectivity and strengthen research collaboration across Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
Announcing the initiative, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, described it as a major milestone in the Ministry’s drive to modernize learning and research through technology, data, and institutional collaboration. The upgraded network is supported by the World Bank through the SPESSE and ACE Impact projects.
The TERAS platform offers a range of digital tools including a federated academic repository, the EagleScan plagiarism checker, online learning platforms, digital literacy programs, and access to academic journals and databases. Its integration with NgREN will ensure improved bandwidth, connectivity, and access to these digital resources through a unified gateway.
Minister: Integration of NgREN with TERAS, a major milestone
The TERAS platform offers a range of digital tools including a federated academic repository, the EagleScan plagiarism checker, online learning platforms, digital literacy programs, and access to academic journals and databases. Its integration with NgREN will ensure improved bandwidth, connectivity, and access to these digital resources through a unified gateway.
“The integration of NgREN with the TERAS platform will create a unified digital ecosystem connecting institutions to research resources, online learning platforms, plagiarism detection systems, high-performance computing, and institutional analytics,” the Minister said.
According to Dr. Alausa, the revitalized NgREN will function as a high-speed national education network, linking universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and research institutions on a shared platform that supports e-learning, cloud computing, and research services.
The Minister added that the initiative will provide modern facilities such as cloud data centers, e-libraries, and campus-wide Wi-Fi services, supported by partnerships, innovation, and continuous investment in digital learning environments, positioning Nigeria’s tertiary education system as globally competitive.
Dr. Joshua Attah of the National Universities Commission (NUC) explained that NgREN is more than an Internet Service Provider. “NgREN is a collaborative platform interconnecting universities and research institutions to enable shared digital services and global linkages. The ongoing upgrade focuses on expanding connectivity, improving reliability, and creating a sustainable governance framework that supports e-learning, data analytics, and research-driven innovation,” he highlighted.
According to the Minister, the project aligns with the Federal Government’s agenda for a digitally-driven knowledge economy, supporting innovation, transparency, and digital inclusion. The pilot phase of the integration is set to begin in 2025, encompassing selected universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education from all geopolitical zones.
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