University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria are among the 27 universities to benefit from the first phase of the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) project recently commissioned in Abuja by the Federal Government.

According to Computer Warehouse Group Plc, one of the consortium handling the project, the NgREN currently delivers 155mbps (STM1) capacity to each university and connects to the Multiprotocol Layered Switch (MPLS) core network that has a 10Gbps capacity.

According to the Nigerian technology company, the link also has 465mbps (3STM1) Internet capacity that provide high definition telepresence capabilities for real-time collaboration, voice over internet protocol (VOIP), shared access to research content and joint experimentation projects.

Other universities connected in this pioneer phase include National Open University, Federal University of Technology, Akure, University of Ilorin, University of Abuja, Federal University of Petroleum Effurum, Federal University of Technology Minna, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, and the Michael Opara University of Agriculture, Umudike.

Others are the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna, University of Calabar, University of Jos, University of Port Harcourt, University of Uyo, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, University of Ibadan, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Bayoro University, Kano, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Benin, University of Maiduguri and the University of Yola.

Future phases of the project will include the deepening of research and education content through partnerships with global research and learning content providers and also expanding the network to include all Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education nationwide, according to CWG.