The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, has called for deeper educational collaboration between African institutions and global partners to boost access, quality, and relevance in higher education.
Ribadu made this call at the official launch of the Centre for African Social and Economic Transformation (CASET), held at the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol.
The event, attended by key academic and policy stakeholders, marked a milestone in efforts to strengthen Africa’s academic and development landscape through transnational partnerships.
The NUC boss was warmly received by the Vice-Chancellor and President of UWE, Sir Steve West CBE DL, and other top officials of the university at the institution’s Bristol Campus.
In his keynote address, Ribadu stated the transformative potential of Transnational Education (TNE), describing it as a vital tool for addressing educational gaps and enhancing learning outcomes across the continent.
He explained that through robust international collaborations, African universities stand to gain significantly in areas such as curriculum reform, faculty development, research innovation, and the global competitiveness of their graduates.
“TNE presents us with an opportunity to raise academic standards and broaden the horizons of our students. It can open doors to globally recognised qualifications and ensure that African graduates are not just employable locally, but competitive anywhere in the world.”
He stressed the need for coordinated action among stakeholders governments, regulatory bodies, and academic institutions to overcome these hurdles and build a sustainable model for cross-border education.
“This is a shared responsibility. We must invest in harmonising our quality assurance systems, support capacity building, and foster mutual understanding to make transnational education truly impactful.”
The launch of CASET is expected to serve as a platform for academic exchange, policy dialogue, and research collaboration aimed at driving inclusive social and economic transformation across Africa.
