Nigeria and China Deepen Educational Partnership with New Initiatives

Nigeria and China are reinforcing their commitment to educational collaboration as Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education, welcomed China's Vice Minister of Education, Wu Yan, to discuss expanded cooperation in technical, vocational, and higher education, as well as language studies.

The two countries, longstanding partners in educational initiatives, highlighted advancements in the University of Transportation in Daura, where 449 students are currently enrolled. Plans are underway to expand the university’s capacity and resources.

Dr. Sani-Gwarzo proposed the establishment of a Nigeria-China University to bridge cultural and academic gaps, symbolizing a strengthened partnership between the nations. He also emphasized the importance of manufacturing educational resources locally, a move that could create jobs and bolster the education sector.

Vice Minister Wu Yan reaffirmed China’s support for Nigeria’s educational objectives, sharing insights from China's educational model, where a nine-year compulsory education system has achieved a 96% completion rate.

Vocational and technical education, which plays a vital role in China's workforce development, was also a key focus. With over 70% of new labor force entrants in China coming from technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, these programs are seen as a model for Nigeria’s education strategy.