.Education Minister lauds move

By Adesina Wahab

The University of Lagos, UNILAG and the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, on Transnational Education Engagement that will see the two institutions collaborating in the area of student and staff exchange, development of curricula among others.

The event, which took place at the Senate Chamber of UNILAG, was witnessed by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, top management of the two institutions, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof. Yusufu Ribadu, the representative of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund among others.

Speaking on the occasion, Education Minister, Dr Alausa said the federal government approved the Transnational Education Policy for Nigerian institutions because of the need to enhance global competitiveness of Nigerian institutions.

“This kind of collaboration opens door to exciting research and collaboration. It gives our students international exposure even when they study here at home. It increases access to quality education and foster exchanges that will be of immense benefits to all parties.

“This is one of the ways the President Bola Tinubu administration, with its Renewed Hope Agenda, wants our students and institutions to be part of what goes on in the international sphere. We are also matching that with the provision of facilities and infrastructure that will allow for the potential of our students and teachers to be developed and used for the world to see.

“Nigeria does not lack talents and we are sure of the quality of our teachers and students that they can hold their heads high anywhere in the world and so, we are not afraid to expose them to the world of competitiveness,” he stated.

In her speech, the Vice Chancellor, UNILAG, Prof. Folasade  Ogunsola, described the event as a milestone in Nigeria/UK educational engagement.

“The University of Lagos relationship with the University of Birmingham has spanned over a decade. We have been working together in the area of global surgery and the development has seen to the introduction of masters degree programme in surgery at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH. That has led to over 120 medical students being mentored.

“This partnership reflects our vision and it is a major step for globalising education in Nigeria and an opportunity for world class training too,” she noted.

The Vice Chancellor of University of Birmingham, Prof. Adam Tickell, represented by Prof. Nick Vaughan Williams, said the event was not an announcement of an outcome, rather a statement of intent, trust, and seriousness of purpose.

“It commits our two institutions—the University of Birmingham and the University of Lagos—to work together in a structured, evidence-led way to explore how we might work to enable students to benefit from both UNILAG and University of Birmingham education right in Lagos.

“We are excited at the opportunity to learn from the University of Lagos, one of the leading institutions on the continent, and therefore a natural partner for University of Birmingham, a Russel Group member and top 100 global university. Crucially, it sets out a shared process—one that is rigorous, comprehensive, and time-bound—and I am here to signal our commitment to this process at the very highest levels.”

The NUC boss, Prof. Ribadu said the NUC has long been at the forefront of promoting Transnational Education in Nigeria, recognising its role in widening access to university education.

“In 2023, the Commission issued guidelines to regulate partnerships with international institutions. Today’s event celebrates a new alliance under the Twinning and Articulation Model; the third of the approved NUC guidelines. This partnership aligns with the Commission’s core mandate of ensuring the delivery of quality university education.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, the NUC will focus on three key priorities in guiding this partnership. First, we will ensure that transnational education partners meet the same high standards as Nigerian universities, while also learning from global best practices. Second, we will support universities to promote knowledge exchange, joint research, and innovation that produce tangible benefits for students, staff, and the wider society. Third, the NUC will provide clear and consistent guidance so that universities and their partners know exactly what is expected.”

Dr Adiza Ismail, who represented the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Mr Sonny Echono, said such an arrangement would allow Nigerian students to have access to international education even when they study at home.