Lagos, Nigeria – August 7, 2025: The University of Lagos (UNILAG) welcomed a high-powered delegation on Thursday, led by Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Moruf Tunji Alausa, CON, to strengthen global partnerships and boost academic excellence across the nation’s tertiary institutions.
According to Mediaplusng.com, the meeting focused on revitalising Nigeria’s higher education through strategic collaboration in research, STEMM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine), internationalisation, staff training, entrepreneurship, and student employability.
Dr. Alausa — an alumnus of UNILAG — expressed pride in returning to his alma mater, stating that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is fully briefed and supportive of initiatives that position Nigeria as a hub for academic innovation in Africa.
This landmark visit builds on discussions from May 2025 between Dr. Alausa and Professor Stephen Jarvis, Provost of the University of Birmingham (UoB) in the United Kingdom. After reviewing multiple partnership models, UoB selected UNILAG as its preferred Nigerian partner, narrowing options to either an articulation/training model or integration into UNILAG’s academic structure.
Mediaplusng.com reports that the Minister described the collaboration as a “win-win” for Nigeria, UoB, and UNILAG, emphasising the need for measurable outcomes, clear timelines, and strong accountability to ensure tangible benefits for Nigerian students.
UNILAG’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Foluso Lesi, highlighted the university’s strong record in digital innovation and international partnerships, while UoB officials Cathy Gilbert and Charles Luke Wales expressed optimism about Nigeria’s potential for impactful collaboration.
The meeting ended with a commitment to fast-track implementation. TETFund and the National Universities Commission (NUC) pledged institutional backing, while the Federal Ministry of Education will establish a dedicated task force — including representatives from British and Nigerian institutions — to oversee the rollout.
With this agreement, Nigeria becomes the first African nation to adopt a UK Russell Group transnational education model, marking a bold step in transforming the quality and global reach of its tertiary education.
