African VCs Sign Agreement With Russia To Boost Economy

A consortium agreement has been signed between some members of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) and other African vice-chancellors to address challenges in the African educational system.

The agreement titled; “Subsoil of Africa” was signed during a ceremony at St. Petersburg Mining University in Russia to emphasise a shift from an agrarian to an industrial economic model.

A press statement by  Professor Yakubu Aboki Ochefu, the Secretary General CVCNU said the collaboration involves over 130 organisations from 42 African countries, focusing on higher education, scientific institutions, geological communities, and mining companies.The agreement also fosters academic exchanges and knowledge transfer, addressing the specific needs of African countries in fields like mineral prospecting.

Professor Paul Omojo Omaji, the Vice-Chancellor Admiralty University Ibusa -Delta State Nigeria and President of the Subsoil of Africa Consortium of Higher Education Institutions at the ceremony said “the establishment of the consortium is a crucial mechanism for Africa’s development, accusing organizations like the World Bank of hindering progress.”

Vladimir Litvinenko, Rector of St. Petersburg Mining University, which is over 250 years old, highlighted the importance of technical universities focusing on priority goals and the need for a different higher education model in Africa.

Alexei Demidov, Chairman of the Council of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions in St. Petersburg, emphasized “the readiness of local universities to support partners in Africa.”