FG Strengthens Educational Ties with Africa, UK

The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing international collaboration in education through the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Speaking at the Going Global Africa Conference, 2024, held yesterday in Abuja, with the theme “Building Sustainable and Relevant Tertiary Institutions and Systems in Africa,” the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, highlighted Nigeria’s readiness to partner with institutions and governments across Africa and the United Kingdom to advance higher education.

This announcement aligns with Nigeria’s broader agenda to improve the quality, accessibility, and relevance of its tertiary education system.

Alausa stressed that the collaboration would focus on mutual benefits, including exchanging knowledge, resources, and innovative practices. “We are eager to engage in high-quality transnational educational partnerships that can drive impactful reforms within the Nigerian education system,” he stated.

He highlighted the NUC’s introduction of Transnational Education (TNE) as a critical initiative that has attracted global interest in Nigerian universities.

Alausa explained that TNE facilitates the partnership of local institutions with renowned global universities, strengthening academic programs, promoting research, and improving graduate outcomes.

The minister further reiterated that, over recent years, Nigeria has implemented several groundbreaking reforms to modernise its university system. One essential advancement is the introduction of the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) in 2023.

Alausa emphasised that this framework focuses on information technology, entrepreneurship, and critical thinking while allowing universities to address local needs.

Additionally, he noted that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) has been instrumental in rehabilitating and developing university infrastructure, and there are ongoing efforts to automate university systems for enhanced efficiency.

He said despite progress, challenges such as inadequate funding, staff shortages, and limited access to higher education persist. However, the Federal Ministry of Education remains optimistic that strategic partnerships will help address these challenges and improve student outcomes across Nigeria.

The minister expressed that the Federal Ministry’s willingness to collaborate with African and UK institutions represents a bold step toward positioning Nigeria as a global education hub.

“These partnerships aim to not only strengthen Nigeria’s educational infrastructure but also foster innovations that benefit the broader African continent,” he said.

For his part, the British high commissioner to Nigeria, Dir Richard Montgomery, emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts to build resilient, sustainable education systems across the continent.

He acknowledged the event’s organisers, including the British Council and the delegates who travelled long distances to attend.

He also welcomed the representatives from British universities, humorously noting their gratitude for Nigeria’s warm weather compared to the chilly conditions in the UK.

Montgomery expressed optimism about an upcoming education renewal initiative and stressed the UK’s readiness to work closely with Nigerian authorities under the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Education.

He praised Nigeria’s robust higher education offerings and highlighted the UK’s globally recognised institutions, which attract hundreds of thousands of international students annually.

“It is genuinely striking that the UK has 17 of the top 100 universities in the world, despite representing only 2 per cent of global GDP,” he said.

He noted that the UK welcomed approximately 750,000 international students in 2022, with tens of thousands from Africa.

Also, the UK International education champion, Sir Steve Smith, acknowledged the presence of Nigeria’s Federal Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and expressed gratitude for hosting the conference.

“It’s an absolute honour to join you all for the British Council’s Going Global Africa 2024 conference,” he said.

He also commended the British Council for its outstanding work in bringing Going Global to Nigeria, facilitating meaningful dialogue between education leaders, policymakers, and industry experts on the future of higher education.

Smith emphasised. “This is about creating partnerships to ensure the sustainability and relevance of tertiary education in Africa, equipping Africa’s youth with the skills and opportunities they need to lead the continent into a prosperous future.”