LASUED and Pennsylvania State University Launch Strategic Global Partnership

In a significant stride toward strengthening international academic collaboration, the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) on Monday 12th January, 2026 officially commenced a partnership with the Pennsylvania State University, College Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America, as the University Management hosted a delegation from the U.S. based institution at the popular Oluremi Tinubu Hall, Oto/Ijanikin Main Campus.

Delivering her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University of Education, Professor Bidemi Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye stated that "the collaboration is anchored on a shared belief that education thrives when institutions transcend borders, exchange ideas freely, and work collectively to solve global and local challenges. "The Memorandum of Understanding before us establishes a robust framework for cooperation in pedagogy, faculty and student exchange, collaborative research, leadership development, mentorship, training, and the sharing of educational resources and technologies"

Reiterating the mandate of the university's existence, Prof. Lafiaji-Okuneye ascertained that "As a young but fast-rising university, LASUED was established with a clear mandate to redefine teacher education, promote research-driven practice, and produce globally competitive graduates equipped for leadership, innovation, and service. Our institutional journey has been guided by a strategic governance philosophy known as the A.C.H.I.E.V.E agenda which prioritises: Academic Culture, Community Relations, Human Capacity Development, Infrastructural Development, Entrepreneurship, Valuable Research, and Excellence in Professionalism".

Emphasizing the importance of the MoU, the Vice-Chancellor noted it is more than a ceremonial document, but rather a living instrument that will "foster joint research addressing educational, social, and developmental challenges, enable academic mobility and cross-cultural exchange of faculty and students, strengthen leadership, governance, and strategic management capacity, and support innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness in a rapidly change global economy".

Expressing her excitement about the opportunities to benefit from the collaboration, Prof. Bidemi Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye mentioned that "this partnership presents for knowledge co-creation, comparative educational research, and development globally informed teaching practices that benefit both our institutions and our societies". However, she lauded the management teams of both universities and other stakeholders involved in painstakingly refining the MoU.

Affirming LASUED's commitment to the partnership, the Vice-Chancellor assured the delegation from The Pennsylvania State University that LASUED approaches the partnership with sincerity, institutional readiness, long-term commitment while looking forward to activating the signing of the MoU through tangible programmes, measurable outcomes, and enduring professional relationships.

In addition, Prof. Lafiaji-Okuneye noted that both universities affirm a shared conviction that education remains one of the most powerful tools for global transformation. "By formalising the partnership, LASUED and Penn State University send a strong message to the world, that collaboration, mutual respect, and intellectual openness are the cornerstones of sustainable academic advancement. It is therefore my earnest hope that this partnership will flourish, expand, and serve as a model of successful North-South academic cooperation, " she concluded.

Speaking during the presentation, one of the Pennsylvania State University delegates, Professor Mildred Boveda, formally presented the Memorandum of Understanding to Lagos State University of Education. She expressed excitement for the opportunity to foster both local and international partnerships and acknowledged the extensive collaborative prospects between the two institutions.

Also speaking on the sustainability of the MoU, Professor Leah Hollis, who was also a member of the delegation, expressed profound gratitude to Lagos State University of Education for the warm hospitality extended to them. She commended Prof. Bidemi Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye for her outstanding leadership and praised her and her team for their remarkable efforts in driving institutional development within the university.

To draw the curtains to close, the groundbreaking event was rounded off by a well-packaged vote of thanks delivered by the Registrar of LASUED, Mr Akinfemiwa Opeoluwa Akinlabi which was followed by a tour of the university by the visitors and members of staff of the university.

The remarkable event marks another milestone in the history of the nascent and ever-growing university.