The Lagos State University (LASU) has received approval from the Brazilian government as one of the Centers of Excellence for conducting the CELPE-Bras Examination. This official recognition was secured through LASU’s Centre for Afro-Brazilian Studies.
The CELPE-Bras, or Certificate of Proficiency in Portuguese for Foreigners, is a key requirement for those wishing to study in Brazil. The Brazilian government offers hundreds of scholarships to foreign students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels across various courses each year.
In a statement released by Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile, Coordinator of the Centre for Information and Public Relations at LASU, it was revealed that the university, through its Centre for Afro Brazilian Studies, has been actively involved in training students for the CELPE-Bras Examination, which is held twice annually in April and October.
“The final approval, dated December 21, 2023, came as a result of the successful training programme for experts from six universities in six countries,” the statement said. “The training, organised by the Brazilian government in Berlin, Germany, between December 13 and 15, 2023, included representatives from Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and Nigeria. Professor Tayo Ajayi, Director of the Centre for Afro-Brazilian Studies, represented LASU at the training.”
This approval officially authorises LASU to serve as a CELPE-Bras Examination centre for all students from West Africa.