World Bank is set to spend at least $80m (N13.1b) on the Redeemer’s University and nine other Africa Centre of Excellence (ACE), in Nigeria.
World Bank Lead Economist Africa Education, Mr. Andreas Blom, stated this on Monday, at a meeting of World Bank with 10 ACE, in Abuja.
He said the World Bank would build African capacity to solve Africa problems.
The 10 universities that were selected in Nigeria included, Redeemer University Mowe, Ogun state, University of Ibadan, Ibadan (Africa Centre of Excellence for Genomic of Infectious Diseases, ACGID), African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Pan African Material Institute, PAMI), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (centre for Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (Centre of Excellence on Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology), University of Jos (Phytomemedicine Research and Development, ACEPRD), University of Benin (Center for Excellence in Reproductive Health and Innovation), and University of Port-Harcourt (ACE Center for oil field Chemicals).
Due to the number of excellent proposals from Nigeria, three more universities were added they were, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (knowledge Park: A model for National Science Technology and Knowledge Park Initiative) STEM, Bayero University, Kano (African Centre of Excellence in Dryland Agriculture and Benue State University, Makurdi (Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER) – Agriculture.
Blom said it was rather unfortunate that none of the African University is one of the first 500 universities in the world. And hope that soon the story would change.
He identified poverty as a major challenge in relation to food wastage, storage and health related challenges.
And he hoped that by the time ACE is able to engage the continent, at least 25 universities in the continent would make the first 500 ranking in the world universities.
