By Charles Maduka
The University of Birmingham and the University of Lagos have strengthened their strategic partnership with a new agreement focused on expanding transnational education and boosting research collaboration in Nigeria.
The agreement was signed by the Provost of the University of Birmingham, Professor Nick Vaughan-Williams, and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola. The Memorandum of Understanding will allow both institutions to explore the development of Birmingham-validated study programmes to be delivered in Lagos.
The partnership aligns with the United Kingdom’s International Education Strategy, which seeks to expand access to high-quality UK education overseas and position the UK as a global education partner. Nigeria has been identified as a key partner country for transnational education under the strategy.
Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the collaboration as timely and strategic for the country’s higher education sector. He said the partnership would help strengthen Nigeria’s university system while expanding access to world-class education based on global best practices.
He added that the collaboration reflects the strengths of the University of Birmingham in academic excellence, innovation, and global relevance, and described it as a practical example of national development goals being translated into real outcomes for students and institutions.
Both universities will now work with Nigeria’s Ministry of Education to develop detailed proposals for a Transnational Education Unit to be based in Lagos. The aim is for programme delivery to begin after further agreements are reached.
Possible areas of study under the proposed unit include Applied Artificial Intelligence and Digital Communications and Media.
Speaking after the signing, Professor Vaughan-Williams said the University of Birmingham was proud to be selected for the collaboration due to its existing links with Nigeria and its global reputation in education, research, and innovation.
He said the university is committed to supporting Nigeria’s higher education and talent needs and contributing positively to the country’s social and economic development.
Professor Ogunsola said the agreement marks an important milestone in Nigeria-UK academic cooperation. She noted that the partnership between both universities has been built over more than a decade through joint research and academic programmes.
She explained that the proposed framework would offer students access to an internationally relevant curriculum while allowing them to remain rooted in Nigeria’s academic environment.
She added that the collaboration reflects UNILAG’s vision of building partnerships based on mutual respect, shared responsibility, and co-creation, while opening new research opportunities and global academic networks for staff and students.
The next phase of the partnership will involve a detailed feasibility study and the development of shared standards for governance, quality assurance, and academic oversight.
The UK Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jonny Baxter, said the partnership demonstrates how UK-Nigeria cooperation can expand access to high-quality education and support innovation in important fields such as artificial intelligence.
The British Council’s Country Director in Nigeria, Donna McGowan, said the partnership reflects mutual collaboration and is designed to address Nigeria’s talent needs by expanding access to high-quality transnational education.
The University of Birmingham already has ongoing research and innovation projects in Nigeria that address real social and health challenges.
Its Global Surgery Unit Nigeria Hub, which marks a major anniversary soon, has contributed significant research on surgical issues such as surgical site infections.
The university has also worked with global partners to install solar power systems at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital in Ile-Ife, helping medical facilities operate safely during power outages.
In addition, researchers from the University of Birmingham are involved in a multi-year project in south-east Nigeria focused on understanding women’s experiences and improving maternal healthcare through social science research.
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