Ahmadu Bello University Forges New Collaborative Links with UK Counterparts

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) is expanding its international academic and research footprint following high-level exploratory discussions in the United Kingdom, which established new partnerships with both the University of Glasgow (UofG) and the University of Salford (UofS).

The collaborations aim to transition existing individual partnerships into comprehensive inter-institutional linkages that benefit the entire ABU community.

Similarly, discussions with the University of Salford resulted in an agreement for UofS to mount virtual training programs focused on entrepreneurship and skills acquisition for the ABU community. This training will be led by UofS professors Ian Goodhead, Niroshini Nirmalan, and Godwin Ebiloma.

In a reciprocal arrangement, the University of Salford requested ABU experts to teach specialized topics on tropical medicine at UofS.

Prof. YKE Ibrahim, the Centre Leader for ABU’s Africa Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology (ACENTDFB), presented plans for the "Alliance for NCD and NTDs Comorbidities" (ANNCo) consortium.

Several principal investigators from both the University of Glasgow and the University of Salford expressed willingness to join the ANNCo initiative. Furthermore, it was agreed that the ACENTDFB will participate in the validation and clinical trials of a repositioned antimalarial drug.

Prof. Ahmed reiterated ABU’s full support for the success of these plans and encouraged staff and students to familiarize themselves with the academic and research activities at both UK universities. The collaborations are set to be extended to other ABU faculties, including Social Sciences, Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, and various research institutes.