Skip to content
The Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, has secured a new international grant to further consolidate its leadership role in the Connected Learning for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (CL4STEM) project.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, Professor Mohammed Salihu Niworu at the official flag-off of the consolidation phase in Lapai, said the Institution had received fresh recognition as a nodal institution for the global initiative.
He noted that IBBUL’s performance in the earlier phases of the project earned commendation from IDRC and other global partners for its leadership, professionalism, and effective financial management.
Professor Suleiman explained that the CL4STEM project, supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, under the Global Partnership for Education’s Knowledge and Innovation Exchange, has made significant strides since its inception in 2021.
The project, he said, has successfully built the capacity of STEM teachers, introduced inclusive classroom practices, and strengthened collaboration among higher education institutions in Nigeria, Tanzania, Bhutan, and India.
While acknowledging challenges such as currency fluctuations and international fund transfers, the Vice Chancellor praised the resilience of the IBBU-led consortium in driving the project forward.
“IBBU and the team have shown leadership, professionalism, and full commitment. This new phase aims to consolidate the mainstreaming of the CL4STEM curriculum into pre-service teacher training and in-service teacher development. We are not expecting less from this team You have done it before and can do it even better,” he said.
The Project Lead Professor Tarjurdeen Mustapha explained that the CL4STEM project, funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, under the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange, is aimed at building the capacity of pre-service and in-service teachers to deliver inclusive and high-quality STEM education.
He added that the project has been implemented since 2021 in Nigeria, Bhutan, Tanzania, and India, with IBBU serving as the consortium leader for the Nigerian cluster in partnership with Kaduna State University, Bayero University Kano, and the Niger State Teachers’ Professional Development Institute.
According to the project’s Lead, IBBU had already piloted and scaled the programme between 2021 and 2024, recording significant success in training teachers in Niger, Kaduna, and Kano States, as well as in-service teachers across other locations.
“This new grant provides us with the opportunity to consolidate our efforts by mainstreaming CL4STEM pedagogy, curriculum content, and digital teaching skills into teacher education programmes at IBBU and in Niger State,” he said.
He added that the initiative would also strengthen collaboration with the Niger State Teachers’ Professional Development Institute to train master trainers, cascade teaching innovations across the state, and integrate digital learning into classroom practice.
Earlier, Dr. Hussaini Majiya had introduced members of the CL4STEM global grant team and acknowledged the Project Oversight Team led by Professor Suleiman and other top Management Officers, alongside members of the Global Project Governance Team drawn from Bhutan, Tanzania, and India.
He also Highlighted the innovation behind the new phase, the Institution announced the introduction of “communities of practice” to mentor pre-service teachers virtually while on teaching practice.
This model, officials said, will ensure continuous feedback, lesson plan development, and real-time support from university educators.
Dr Majiya stated that CL4STEM project, which entered its consolidation phase in 2025, is expected to further institutionalize STEM teacher training in Nigeria and strengthen regional and global collaboration in education, adding that the partners include Samtse College of Education in Bhutan, Open University of Tanzania, and Tata Institute of Social Sciences in India.
In their Separate goodwill remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Mohammed Aliyu Bello, Director Academic Planning Professor Kabir Mohammed Adamu, Coordinating Director of Research and Development, Professor Folorunso Alimi Lawal and Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi, Director of ICT commended the resilience of the project team, pledging continued institutional support.
“IBBU has demonstrated excellence in leading this global collaboration. We will sustain this commitment to ensure our teachers and students benefit maximally”.
“This project is a clear testimony to how partnerships can drive educational innovation. We are confident of greater impact in this consolidation phase.”
In his closing remarks, The Registrar, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki, assured the team of full administrative support for the project’s success.
“As an institution, we are proud to lead this initiative. Our doors remain open to ensure all stakeholders work seamlessly for the greater good of education in Nigeria,” he said.