NMI will also operate centers of excellence across the African continent. Such centers will focus on educating students and conducting research in specific areas of science and technology relevant to Africa. They will be autonomously managed but will have a cooperative relationship with AUST-Abuja (and other AUST campuses as they are developed), which may involve sharing of the AUST name, the exchange of students and faculty, and the joint responsibility for the education of students. The performance of these centers will be audited on a regular basis to ensure their conformance with AUST standards and their continued affiliation with NMI.

These centers are likely to develop in two possible ways. First, they may be existing centers that are presently unrelated to NMI but, following discussions and negotiations, may choose to enter into an affiliation with NMI and its other schools. Second, new centers may be operated solely by NMI.