IFFPAN AND BOOTHS ENGINEERING EXPAND AI AND DIGITAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT ACROSS NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES
The International Ford Foundation Alumni Association of Nigeria (IFFPAN) is partnering with Booths Engineering Ltd. to strengthen AI, digital engineering, and innovation skills among young people in Nigerian higher education institutions.
The partnership forms part of IFFPAN’s broader vision to build a national ecosystem of universities, industry partners, researchers, and practitioners working together to prepare students for the future of work through practical training in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, engineering innovation, and problem-solving.
As part of this collaboration, students from universities across North-Central Nigeria have participated in a series of Engineering and AI Bootcamps designed to expose undergraduates to modern engineering workflows, artificial intelligence tools, Building Information Modelling (BIM), automation, digital design, research, and innovation. The programme seeks to bridge the gap between university education and industry needs by equipping students with skills that are increasingly demanded in today’s digital economy.
Building a Scalable University Partnership Model
IFFPAN’s goal is not simply to support individual training events, but to develop a scalable model that can be replicated across universities in Nigeria and eventually across Africa.
Through partnerships with universities, professional bodies, private sector organisations, and alumni networks, IFFPAN is working to:
- Expand access to AI and digital skills training for university students.
- Increase participation of women and underrepresented groups in STEM fields.
- Create pathways to internships, employment, and entrepreneurship.
- Strengthen university-industry collaboration.
- Develop future leaders capable of applying technology to solve local and global challenges.
- Support the development of a digitally skilled workforce for Nigeria’s knowledge economy.
Growing Reach and Impact
The initiative currently operates across three federal universities in North-Central Nigeria:
- University of Abuja
- Federal University of Technology, Minna
- University of Jos
Since inception, the programme has reached approximately 200 undergraduate students, with structured efforts to maintain gender-inclusive participation across cohorts. Participating institutions have formally recognised the programme through certificates, awards, and institutional partnerships.
The programme has also demonstrated tangible career outcomes:
- 25 internships secured
- 5 graduate jobs secured
- 2 international placements secured
These outcomes demonstrate the value of combining university learning with practical industry exposure and emerging technology skills.
Engineering 2025 Bootcamp
The most recent Engineering 2025 Bootcamp focused on developing engineers who can combine first-principles thinking, digital technologies, and innovation to address Africa’s infrastructure challenges. Participants received hands-on exposure to digital engineering tools, structural design software, BIM workflows, engineering research, and practical problem-solving approaches relevant to sustainable infrastructure development. The long-term vision is to help train 1,000 engineers across Nigeria and Africa who can develop scalable solutions for the continent’s future.
Advancing IFFPAN’s STEM and AI Agenda
This partnership aligns with IFFPAN’s growing work in STEM education, AI capacity building, youth mentoring, leadership development, disability inclusion, and educational access. As an association of Ford Foundation alumni, IFFPAN continues to leverage the expertise of its members, universities, and partner organisations to create opportunities that empower young people and contribute to Nigeria’s social and economic transformation.
“Our vision is to build a network of university and industry partnerships that democratise access to AI, digital innovation, and future-ready skills for young people across Nigeria, ensuring that talent not geography or circumstance determines opportunity.”
This initiative represents an important step towards achieving that vision.n
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