Announces three projects to expand partnerships between UK, Nigeria universities
The United Kingdom government has reinforced its dedication to fostering transnational education partnerships in Nigeria, with a focus on strengthening ties between universities in both countries.
This commitment was unveiled at the “Going Global” Conference in Abuja, themed Building Sustainable and Relevant Tertiary Education Institutions and Systems in Africa.
The three-day conference, hosted by the British Council from November 26 to 28, 2024, brought together policymakers, tertiary education leaders, and industry experts to deliberate on the future of higher education.
The UK government’s International Education Champion, Sir Steve Smith announced the launch of three new projects under the British Council’s Transnational Education (TNE) exploratory grants scheme. These projects, set to commence in January 2025, aim to deepen institutional collaborations between the UK and Nigeria.
“Such partnerships contribute to transforming local systems, enhancing institutional capabilities, and fostering cross-sector innovation,” Smith remarked.
Highlighting Africa’s growing demographic, British High Commissioner Dr. Richard Montgomery emphasised the need for quality higher education to harness the continent’s potential. “With over 60 per cent of Africa’s population under 25 and projections of reaching 2.5 billion by 2050, the focus must be on strengthening domestic higher education systems,” he noted.
The event was graced by Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa and National Universities Commission (NUC) acting executive secretary, Mr. Chris Maiyaki alongside other education stakeholders.
In a statement, senior communications officer at the British High Commission, Atinuke Akande-Alegbe underscored the conference’s significance in fostering sustainable and mutually beneficial education systems.
Following the conference, Smith is scheduled to lead a delegation of representatives from 11 UK universities to engage with Nigerian institutions. The delegation will visit Lagos to explore strategies for advancing TNE partnerships that are sustainable and innovative.
This initiative reflects the UK government’s broader strategy to build enduring educational frameworks in Nigeria, addressing challenges while leveraging opportunities for cross-sector collaborations.
