UNILAG, Education Ministry, and University of Birmingham Hold Strategic Talks to Advance Higher Education

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Thursday, August 7, 2025, hosted a high-powered delegation led by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Moruf Tunji Alausa, CON, for strategic discussions with officials from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom.

The meeting, held at the Arthur Mbanefo Digital Research Centre (AMDRC), brought together senior representatives from:

• The Ministry of Education
• The National Universities Commission (NUC)
• The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund)

The engagement focused on building strong partnerships in:

• Strengthening research and innovation infrastructure
• Enhancing faculty and staff training
• Boosting STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) education
• Expanding student exchange and dual degree programmes
• Supporting entrepreneurship and employability initiatives

Government’s Commitment to Educational Excellence

Dr. Alausa, a UNILAG alumnus, expressed pride in returning to his alma mater for a mission aligned with the Federal Government’s vision to improve Nigeria’s tertiary education. He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is fully briefed and supportive of initiatives aimed at promoting excellence and positioning Nigeria as an African hub for academic innovation.

“This partnership with the University of Birmingham represents a major step towards globalising Nigeria’s higher education while ensuring that our youth have access to world-class opportunities right here at home,” the Minister said.

He emphasised that effective partnerships must have:

• Clearly defined structures
• Measurable outcomes
• Timelines and accountability frameworks

UNILAG’s Drive for Internationalisation

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Foluso Lesi, highlighted UNILAG’s advances in internationalisation, digital innovation, and strategic collaborations. Vice-Chancellor Professor Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola, OON, FAS, reaffirmed the institution’s focus on entrepreneurship, capacity building, and a research-driven ecosystem supporting sustainable development.

University of Birmingham’s Position

Mrs. Cathy Gilbert and Mr. Charles Luke Wales from the University of Birmingham expressed enthusiasm about deepening ties with UNILAG, citing successful partnerships in other global hubs, including Dubai, and noting Nigeria’s potential for impactful collaboration.

The session ended with a commitment to fast-track implementation plans, with TETFund and NUC pledging sustained institutional support.

This engagement signals a renewed chapter in Nigeria’s push to elevate the quality of tertiary education through strategic global alliances and responsive policymaking.