By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

Nile University of Nigeria is partnering with Federal Government Technical Working Group to develop the Centre for Afro-Middle East Development Studies (CAMEDS).

This initiative will serve as the Centre for Research on the rich Afro Middle East cultures and economic Integration.

The Vice Chancellor of Nile University, Professor Dilli Dogo, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on the institution’s growing influence in the country’s education landscape.

Professor Dogo described the university as a national asset, stressing that its genuine impact on national development is reflected in the strong relationships it has built with government at all levels. This, he said, is a testament, to the trust and credibility the institution has earned over the years.

He pointed to several partnerships as evidence of this growing influence. Nile University is one of the centres accredited by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) for the sponsorship of academic staff across the country to pursue postgraduate studies. The university has also developed strong working relationships with government agencies like NASENI, NITDA and NCC, among others to strengthen institutional output.

On the international front, the university’s reach has extended, he stated. The Covenant of Mayors of Sub-Saharan Africa appointed Nile University to develop an urban lab for waste management for the Abuja Municipal Council.

He also mentioned that the French Embassy donated a fabrication laboratory (FabLab) and a mini factory to the institution. The FabLab enables students to design and build prototypes while learning modern manufacturing techniques, and the mini factory allows them to convert plastic waste into semi-finished and finished products, giving them hands-on experience in environmental management.

He added that he receives requests from universities globally seeking partnerships. “In 2024, I received over 40 universities from the United States at Nile University. They were on an African tour. They went to the University of Cape Town, they went to the University of Nairobi, and came to Nile University. We were the only university they visited in Nigeria. In the same year, I also received representatives of more than 20 universities from France here on campus,” he said.

Professor Dogo also highlighted a string of other achievements. According to him, at the 2025 JAMB policy meeting, the Nile University was recognised as the third overall best performing university in Nigeria at the 5th National Tertiary Admissions Performance Merit Awards. It came first in the category of National Spread, as the university with students from all 36 states of the federation and the FCT in both the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions.

For Professor Dogo, these milestones are not ends in themselves but markers of a larger purpose. “Any institution that is genuinely impacting this country deserves to be protected and supported. We will continue to ensure that every Nigerian who passes through here leaves skilled enough to power government policy and help us achieve our objectives as a nation,” he said.