Nigerian Research and Education Network

What Nigerian Research and Education Network does

Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) is Nigeria's designated National Research and Education Network, incorporated on February 21, 2012, as a Private Company Limited by Guarantee (RC 1011289) under Nigerian law. The company provides advanced ICT infrastructure and shared services to Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and research institutions through an institutional membership model, operating from its headquarters at the National Universities Commission building in Maitama, Abuja. Its portfolio spans high-speed internet connectivity (bandwidth subscriptions up to 1 Gbps), identity federation (NgRENID/eduroam), federated repositories and persistent identifiers (NIRIS, ARK), High-Performance Computing, enterprise software licenses (MATLAB, anti-plagiarism), eJournal subscriptions (ProQuest, EbscoHost, ScienceDirect), cloud and DNS services, the NgREN CSIRT cybersecurity service, eduVPN, FileSender, LMS platforms, and 24/7 technical support.

Underlying the service portfolio is a federated platform architecture: connectivity infrastructure connects member institutions to national and international R&E networks, while identity federation layer (NgRENID) leverages the eduGAIN global inter-federation (100+ countries, 10,000+ identity and service providers) to enable cross-border single sign-on for accessing scholarly resources. NgREN operates as the Nigerian node within WACREN (West and Central African Research and Education Network) and participates in the EU-funded AfricaConnect2 project to build pan-African R&E connectivity. Revenue is generated primarily through recurring institutional bandwidth subscriptions; no pricing or revenue figures are publicly disclosed. Recent strategic milestones include admission into eduGAIN in November 2025 and a ministerial directive to integrate with TERAS (Tertiary Education, Research, Applications and Services) to eliminate service duplication and achieve cost efficiency.

Name

Nigerian Research and Education Network

Legal name

Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN)

Website

https://ngren.edu.ng

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NgREN is Nigeria's National Research and Education Network, providing high-speed connectivity, identity federation (eduGAIN/eduroam), HPC, cybersecurity, cloud services, and enterprise software licenses to the country's universities, polytechnics, and research institutions through an institutional membership model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Research and Education Network Infrastructure

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182), Other Computer Related Services (541519), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Network Operations Outsourcing (NOC Services) (BPAEAMAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

IT, Information Security & Digital Governance (EDADAKAJ), Network Backbone & Core IP Transport (Long-Haul/Metro IP) (HDAIAFAG), IT, Software & Cybersecurity Training (EDAGANAF)

Keywords

• Research and education network
• National research network
• Identity federation services
• Academic cybersecurity services
• High performance computing

Headquarters

HQ city

Maitama

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Institutional Membership Subscriptions: Bandwidth subscription categories up to 1 Gbps offered to member institutions including universities, polytechnics and research institutions

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) operates Nigeria's National Research and Education Network, providing high-speed internet connectivity (up to 1 Gbps), identity federation (NgRENID), federated repository and persistent identifier systems (NIRIS, ARK), High-Performance Computing resources, cybersecurity services (CSIRT), enterprise software licensing (MATLAB, anti-plagiarism), eBook/eJournal subscriptions, cloud and DNS hosting, eduroam Wi-Fi roaming, eduVPN, FileSender, and capacity-building services to Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and research institutions.

Product overview

NgREN operates as a national research and education network providing connectivity infrastructure and advanced ICT services to universities and research institutions across Nigeria. The platform offers a comprehensive portfolio of services including high-speed internet connectivity (up to 1 Gbps), identity federation through NgRENID and eduroam, the Nigerian Institutional Repository & Identity System (NIRIS) for federated repositories and persistent identifiers, ARK identifiers for long-term digital object identification, High-Performance Computing (HPC) resources, enterprise software licenses (MATLAB, anti-plagiarism), eJournal subscriptions (ProQuest, EbscoHost, ScienceDirect), cloud hosting, DNS services, cybersecurity (CSIRT), and technical support. The network connects Nigerian institutions to global research and education networks including eduGAIN, AfricaConnect2, and WACREN.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NgRENID: NgREN Identity Federation - enables securely access services and resources provided by other trusted institutions nationally and internationally via eduGAIN infrastructure.
• NIRIS
• eduroam
• NgREN CSIRT

Products and services

• High-Speed Internet Connectivity Bandwidth subscription service offering a range of categories up to 1 Gbps to cater to institutional needs of Nigerian universities, polytechnics and research institutions.
• Identity Federation (NgRENID) Identity federation service enabling member institutions to securely access services and resources provided by other trusted institutions nationally and internationally via eduGAIN infrastructure.
• eduroam Education roaming service providing seamless Wi-Fi access across participating institutions in Nigeria and internationally.
• Nigerian Institutional Repository and Identity System (NIRIS) Federated repository and persistent identifier system that enables Nigerian institutions to showcase and preserve research output through a shared platform, enhancing discoverability and impact.
• NgREN Archival Resource Key (ARK) Identifiers Persistent identifier service providing a trusted, long-term solution for uniquely identifying and persistently linking to scholarly and digital resources from Nigerian institutions.
• High-Performance Computing (HPC) System Advanced computing power service for complex research projects undertaken by member institutions.
• Enterprise Learning Management System (LMS) Robust online platform for course delivery and management that enhances learning experiences at member institutions.
• Enterprise MATLAB License Enterprise access to MATLAB for mathematical computing, data analysis, machine learning, and simulation across member institutions.
• Enterprise Anti-Plagiarism System Advanced plagiarism detection service that ensures academic integrity across member institutions.
• eBooks and e-Journal Subscriptions Subscription-based access to a vast collection of scholarly publications through ProQuest, EbscoHost, and ScienceDirect for member institutions.
• NgREN Cloud, Web Hosting and Other IT Services Reliable hosting solutions for websites, DNS, portals, virtual servers, and related IT services for member institutions.
• NgREN DNS Portal Authoritative nameservers delivering fast, secure, and reliable domain name resolution for member institutions.
• Recursive DNS Fundamental internet service helping users in the NgREN community translate website names into computer-friendly IP addresses.
• FileSender Secure, web-based application allowing users to send large files to others, typically via email links, commonly used by researchers.
• eduVPN Free and open-source Virtual Private Network (VPN) service tailored for the global research and education community.
• NgREN Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) Cybersecurity incident response service protecting institutional data and networks from cyber threats for member institutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Enhanced collaboration opportunities for Nigerian institutions through eduGAIN membership
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature13 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• eduGAINcoreTechnology or IntegrationNgREN was admitted into eduGAIN following a rigorous assessment and voting process conducted by the eduGAIN Assembly. This membership connects Nigerian higher education institutions to the global research and education community, enabling secure, trusted, and seamless access to online services across borders. eduGAIN comprises participation of over 100 countries from around the world and more than 10,000 Identity and Service Providers.
• WACREN (West and Central African Research and Education Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNgREN is the Nigerian National Research and Education Network and member of WACREN, the alliance of NRENs of West and Central Africa. WACREN connects national research and education networks across the region and supports initiatives like AfricaConnect2.
• AfricaConnect2coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNgREN signed an agreement with WACREN on the AfricaConnect2 project to create the first pan-African research and education network, connecting African research and education institutions to each other and to global networks.
• ICANNcoreTechnology or IntegrationNgREN operates under guidance from ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) and assumes full legal and technical responsibilities to ICANN and AfriNIC for domain name and IP address management.
• AfriNICcoreTechnology or IntegrationNgREN assumes full legal and technical responsibilities to AfriNIC, the Regional Internet Registry for Africa, for IP address allocation and management.
• TERAS (Tertiary Education, Research, Applications and Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe operational and governance structure of NgREN will be restructured to reflect its eventual integration with TERAS. The Minister of Education directed both organisations to integrate, harmonise services, and make them accessible to educational institutions. This will eliminate duplication of services, reduce costs, improve efficiency, and create a variety of services.
• NCC (Nigerian Communications Commission)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNgREN and NCC are in talks to enhance collaboration on improving research facilities in universities. This collaboration aims to strengthen telecommunications infrastructure for academic and research purposes.
• National Universities Commission (NUC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNgREN is positioned to provide connectivity infrastructure to NUC and its member institutions. The NUC headquarters hosts NgREN's office location at Peter Okebukola Building.
• TERAScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Minister of Education directed integration of NgREN and TERAS to harmonise services and achieve cost efficiency for educational institutions.
• GÉANTcoreTechnology or IntegrationeduGAIN operates under the auspices of GÉANT, which connects identity federations worldwide. NgREN's eduGAIN membership connects Nigerian institutions to GÉANT's global network infrastructure.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• GÉANT: Europe's pan-continental research and education network, operating the underlying infrastructure and governance framework for eduGAIN—NgREN's newly joined global federation. It is the most analogous global NREN at continental scale and the closest functional equivalent to what NgREN aspires to be at a national level.
• JISC: The UK's NREN and digital, data, and technology agency for higher education and research. Provides connectivity, shared digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and content services to UK universities—a directly comparable public-sector-aligned NREN model.

Direct peers

• Internet2: The United States' National Research and Education Network, providing high-speed connectivity, identity federation, trust and identity services, and cybersecurity to US universities and research institutions. Highly comparable to NgREN in service portfolio, target market, and federated operating model.
• TENET (Tertiary Education and Research Network of South Africa): South Africa's NREN serving the country's universities and research institutions with high-speed connectivity, identity federation, and security services. As the most mature African NREN, it is a key continental peer and benchmark for NgREN's evolution.
• RENATER: France's national research and education network providing connectivity, identity federation, and trusted services to French universities and research institutions. Operates under a similar public-mandate, member-funded model.
• CANARIE: Canada's NREN operating connectivity, identity federation, cybersecurity, and digital research infrastructure for Canadian universities and research institutions. Closely mirrors NgREN's mandate, member-funded model, and service catalog.

Others

• African Network Information Centre (AfriNIC): Africa's regional internet registry, with which NgREN holds direct legal and technical responsibilities. Functions as an enabling ecosystem partner for IP allocation and network governance rather than a service competitor.
• AfricaConnect: The EU-funded initiative building pan-African research and education network connectivity of which AfricaConnect2 (in which NgREN participates) is the successor. Functions as both an ecosystem participant and enabling infrastructure for NgREN's regional ambitions.

Regional players

• ASREN (Arab States Research and Education Network): The regional NREN alliance for Arab states, comparable to WACREN in structure but covering a different geography. Useful as a model for regional NREN collaboration patterns relevant to NgREN's AfricaConnect2 role.
• WACREN: The West and Central African Research and Education Network, of which NgREN is a member. Operates as a regional aggregation layer connecting national NRENs like NgREN and is the direct institutional peer at the regional level for cross-border collaboration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NigerianREN
• Facebookfacebook.com/NgRENBroadBand
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ngren

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nigerian Research and Education Network