Czech Republic to Partner with University of Ibadan on Development Models for Nigeria
The Czech Republic has announced a partnership with the University of Ibadan (UI) to develop models that can promote Nigeria's growth, particularly in education. This collaboration was highlighted during a colloquium held at UI, featuring discussions on fostering academic and development initiatives between the two countries.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
In a significant move towards strengthening ties and fostering development, the Czech Republic has announced plans to collaborate with the University of Ibadan (UI) to create development models that can spur growth in various sectors of Nigeria, particularly in education.
The announcement was made during a colloquium held at UI, organized in collaboration with the Czech Embassy in Nigeria. The event, which took place in the university's Trenchard Hall, featured high-profile discussions between Czech and Nigerian scholars on the prospects of the partnership.
The Deputy Head of Mission at the Czech Embassy, Mr. Martin Čech, and Professor Jan Záhořík of the University of West Bohemia, led the Czech delegation. In his remarks, Čech expressed the Czech Republic’s desire to build mutually beneficial collaborations with Nigeria that could drive development. He emphasized the importance of fostering diversity and initiating new discussions to promote sustainable growth.
"This programme is about creating collaborations that will strengthen development. We are eager to explore ways to improve various sectors in Nigeria, especially education, through Czech models," Čech said.
Professor Záhořík, a scholar of African Studies, highlighted the Czech Republic’s advanced education and development systems, proposing that aspects of these systems could be adapted for Nigeria. "Our aim is to continue meaningful dialogues between our nations and explore areas of collaboration such as engineering, social sciences, and academic exchanges," Záhořík noted.
Nigerian scholars present at the colloquium emphasized the potential of the Czech Republic as a model for Nigeria. Professor Isaac Olawale Albert, a globally recognized scholar from UI, praised the Czech Republic’s high literacy rate and economic stability, noting the country’s impressive $326 billion GDP. He underscored the need for Nigeria to adopt new strategies for sustainable development, urging for models that would yield tangible results.
"We are looking for new ideas and models that can foster national development. The Czech Republic’s success is something Nigeria can learn from. We must rethink our approach to education and development to produce scholars capable of driving national growth," Albert said.
Professor Francis Egbokhare of UI echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the Czech Republic’s informal sector as an area that could inspire sustainable relationships between the two countries. He urged the Czech Republic to consider investing in Nigeria’s informal economy, which remains one of the largest in the country.
The colloquium also provided an opportunity to explore potential academic partnerships between the University of Ibadan and Czech institutions. Joint academic programs, research initiatives, and student exchange opportunities were all discussed as avenues for future collaboration.
Professor Olatunji Oyeshile of UI’s Department of Philosophy, who facilitated the event, encouraged Nigeria to emulate the Czech Republic by focusing on developing local solutions. "The Czech Republic looks inward, and its laws work effectively. We can learn from their approach, particularly in aligning education with our cultural and developmental needs," Oyeshile said.
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of UI, Professor Peter Olapegba, who declared the event open, underscored the importance of partnerships in addressing global challenges. "No entity can be an island unto itself. We need to collaborate with others to go further and overcome challenges," he said.
The colloquium was well-attended, drawing personalities from both Nigeria and the Czech Republic, including UI’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Aderonke Baiyeroju, Registrar Ganiyu Saliu, University Librarian Dr. Mercy Iroaganachi, Provost of the College of Medicine Professor Temidayo Ogundiran, and several other academic and administrative leaders.
The partnership between the Czech Republic and the University of Ibadan holds promise for Nigeria’s development trajectory, particularly in education. With both nations poised to collaborate on meaningful academic and developmental initiatives, this partnership could serve as a blueprint for other international collaborations aimed at fostering sustainable growth in Africa.
