This concept provides satellite connections to several "Centers of Excellence", or forward-thinking universities, in Nigeria, while at the same time providing dial-in or drive-in access to everyone within the NUC system.

This plan has been instigated by Dr. Mamman Aminu Ibrahim, the Deputy Director for Research at the Nigerian University's Commission (NUC) and the Chairman of the Nigerian Universities Network (NUNet).  It has been designed and expanded upon by Mr. Cliff Missen, a Fulbright Scholar from the University of Iowa who has taught networking in Nigerian universities, various members of the NUC staff, the vice-chancellors and NUNet chairmen of several Nigerian universities, and technical consultants in Nigeria and the U.S.A.

This plan demonstrates how satellite Internet connectivity can be used throughout Nigeria and prepares Nigerian technicians for a future that looks increasingly to be satellite based.

The overall notion is to provide reliable connectivity in a few universities around the country, to build redundant links between these centers, and to provide a mechanism for those at other universities to access the Internet via these "Centers of Excellence".  This plan is envisaged as the first step towards full connectivity for all Nigerian universities.  It is designed to provide the widest access for all institutions while a core group develops the requisite skills to foster further expansion.

Consistent with Nigeria's aspirations and the NUC's Action Plan, fully-connected Nigerian University Network will:

1. end the intellectual isolation of Nigerian students, teachers, and researchers
2. expand Internet access to higher education at minimal capital costs
3. improve standards education and currency of knowledge
4. optimize utilization of Nigeria’s academic resources regardless of their physical location
5. encourage local and worldwide academic and research collaborations

This project will also serve as a demonstration to other academic and public institutions across sub-Saharan Africa of how these satellite technologies can be best deployed to serve their communication needs.

• Why Satellites?
  
  

• The Plan for Satellite Connectivity
  • Providing for satellite Internet links
  • Setting up mirror Web site to reduce bandwidth consumption
    
    
• Implementing Internet Connectivity & Broadening Participation
  • Building redundancy (telephones, etc.)
  • Providing for spare parts
  • Providing regional dial-up access
  • Regional high-speed Internet access centers
    
    
• Capacity Building
  • Training technicians to maintain both satellite and dial-up connections
  • Managing spares and regional drive-in access
    
    
• Cost Estimates