In a major step toward expanding access to world-class higher education, Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, CON, has visited the University of Birmingham (UoB) Dubai Campus. The visit is part of the ongoing plan to establish a University of Birmingham branch campus in Lagos, Nigeria.
According to Mediaplusng.com, the visit marks the next phase in the Federal Government’s efforts to localize global education and strengthen Nigeria’s tertiary education system. Earlier in June, the Minister visited the University of Birmingham’s main campus in the United Kingdom, followed by a return visit from the University’s Senior Management Team to Nigeria. During that mission, the team met with the National Universities Commission (NUC) and several leading universities before selecting the University of Lagos (UNILAG) as the official partner institution.
The Honourable Minister’s visit to Dubai comes ahead of the formal signing of the partnership agreement, scheduled for January 25–27, 2026, when the University’s Vice-Chancellor and Senior Management Team will visit Nigeria. During his time in Dubai, Dr. Alausa was received by the UoB leadership, including Ben Bailey, Chief Operating Officer, Professor Yusra Mouzughi, Provost, and Cathy Gilbert, Director of Commercial Partnerships. The team conducted him on a tour of the modern Dubai campus and held in-depth meetings about the operational framework for the UoB Lagos campus, which is expected to begin academic activities in January 2026.
Dr. Alausa also met with students of the Dubai campus to hear about their learning experiences, including academic standards, affordability, and the University’s responsiveness to student needs. The feedback, Mediaplusng.com reports, was overwhelmingly positive — reinforcing the Federal Government’s confidence in the University’s quality and readiness to replicate its global standards in Nigeria. Students praised the school’s teaching excellence and the diverse learning environment that fosters innovation and creativity.
The establishment of the University of Birmingham Lagos Campus demonstrates the Federal Government’s strong commitment to transforming Nigeria’s education sector and developing the nation’s human capital. This initiative supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes education as a foundation for national growth and sustainable development.
As part of the agreement, the Minister directed that 50% of the academic focus of the Lagos campus will be on postgraduate studies, particularly in STEMM fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Life Sciences, and Data Science. The remaining 50% will cover undergraduate programs. This balanced approach aims to build capacity for Nigerian lecturers and produce a new generation of skilled professionals to drive President Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
Dr. Alausa expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far, noting that the project aligns with the Ministry’s 6-point NESRI agenda — focusing on STEMM advancement, technical education, digitalization, quality assurance, girl-child education, and reducing the number of out-of-school children.
As Nigeria prepares for the official signing of the agreement in January 2026, the visit stands as a clear symbol of progress and partnership, a true reflection of Renewed Hope in action.
