The Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), founded in 2012 in order to deliver 21st-century technology to institutions of higher education in Nigeria, has been highly active in bringing the best digital technology to its members. At the core of its services is the network itself, a 10-gigabits-per-second backbone leased through Phase3 Telecoms and Airtel Nigeria. The network has cores in four cities across the country, with plans to increase this number to 14. This backbone allows for services that include voice-over Internet protocol, or VoIP, a precursor to a planned unified communications solution, and high-definition videoconferencing, which can be delivered as a package that includes hardware and training.
As the NgREN platform grows, Nigerian universities with membership in the network will enjoy access to numerous international databases, including SCOPUS, the Labour Market Information System, and ScienceDirect, as well as future access to legal databases and other useful tools for educators and students. NgREN is also hard at work expanding the capacity of the network, working with national research and education networks and other groups to funnel development support while providing a platform from which Nigerians can gain further expertise in IP management and network design.
As the NgREN platform grows, Nigerian universities with membership in the network will enjoy access to numerous international databases, including SCOPUS, the Labour Market Information System, and ScienceDirect, as well as future access to legal databases and other useful tools for educators and students. NgREN is also hard at work expanding the capacity of the network, working with national research and education networks and other groups to funnel development support while providing a platform from which Nigerians can gain further expertise in IP management and network design.