The University of Lagos (UNILAG), on Thursday, August 7, 2025, played host to a high-powered delegation led by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Moruf Tunji Alausa, CON . The delegation which included senior officials from the Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) converged at the Arthur Mbanefo Digital Research Centre (AMDRC), UNILAG, for a strategic engagement with a visiting team from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom.
The engagement centered on forging stronger partnerships in research, internationalisation, academic excellence, and capacity building, with the ultimate goal of revitalising Nigeria’s tertiary education system. The delegation discussed a broad range of thematic areas for partnership, including:
- Strengthening research and innovation infrastructure.
- Enhancing faculty and staff training.
- Boosting STEMM education.
- Expanding student exchange and dual degree programmes.
- Supporting entrepreneurship and employability initiatives.
In his remarks, Dr. Alausa, an alumnus of the University of Lagos, expressed pride in returning to his alma mater for a mission that aligns with the Federal Government’s agenda to improve the quality of education in Nigeria. He disclosed that “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is being fully briefed on developments and is supportive of initiatives that promote excellence in education and position Nigeria as a hub for academic innovation in Africa”.
The Minister of Education re-affirmed government’s commitment to building robust institutional frameworks that foster innovation, enhance research output, strengthen STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) disciplines, and expand access to world-class academic opportunities.
His words: “This partnership with the University of Birmingham represents a major step towards globalising Nigeria’s higher education while ensuring that our youth have access to the same quality education available abroad – right here at home. It is a win-win for the country, for the University of Birmingham, and for UNILAG.”
Dr. Alausa noted that effective partnerships must go beyond symbolic gestures, with clearly definite structure, and measurable outcomes. He stressed the importance of developing actionable frameworks with well-defined timelines and accountability mechanisms to ensure that such initiatives translate into tangible benefits for Nigerian institutions and students.
While addressing the guests earlier at the meeting, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Foluso Lesi, provided an overview of UNILAG’s ongoing strides in internationalisation, digital innovation, and strategic partnerships. He pointed out that the University has continued to evolve as a leading institution in Africa, with growing global engagement.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola, OON, FAS, highlighted the University’s dedication to entrepreneurial development and capacity building across both faculty and student communities. She emphasised the institution’s commitment to fostering a research-driven ecosystem that supports sustainable development.
Representatives from the University of Birmingham, Mrs. Cathy Gilbert and Mr. Charles Luke Wales, expressed enthusiasm about deepening ties with UNILAG and contributing to Nigeria’s education sector. They spoke of successful partnerships and academic hubs already established in other parts of the world, including recent expansions in Dubai, and noted that Nigeria offers a promising landscape for impactful collaboration.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from all parties to fast-track modalities for implementation, with TETFund and NUC pledging institutional support to ensure the sustainability of the collaboration.This landmark engagement signifies a renewed chapter in Nigeria’s efforts to elevate the quality of tertiary education through strategic global alliances and responsive policymaking.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Ayo Oloyede
