Nigeria’s Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, this week, held an in-depth meeting with Professor Stephen Jarvis, Provost of the University of Birmingham (UoB), and his team at the university’s main campus in the United Kingdom.
The discussions focused on fostering a bilateral partnership in transnational education, with particular emphasis on establishing a University of Birmingham (UoB) presence in Nigeria.
Several models for UoB’s transnational footprint in Nigeria were explored, including the possibility of:
- Establishing a branch campus,
- Acquiring an existing university,
- Operating through a franchise model,
- Creating an articulation and TWINNING partnership, or
- Leveraging a virtual institution in collaboration with an existing Nigerian university.
Following extensive deliberations, the parties narrowed their focus to two feasible models: an articulation/training approach or integrating within an existing Nigerian university. These were deemed most appropriate given the current timeline and strategic objectives.
As part of the next steps, both sides agreed to begin identifying suitable public and private Nigerian universities for potential partnership. This will facilitate the timely implementation of the transnational education initiative.
The University of Birmingham team is scheduled to visit Nigeria in July 2025. Concurrently, the Federal Ministry of Education will establish a dedicated task force to drive the initiative forward. This task force will include representatives from TETFUND, the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), the British Council, the UK Department for Business and Trade, UoB, as well as members from the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and private universities.
The Terms of Reference for the task force will include:
- Identifying the infrastructure required for UoB to establish a campus in Nigeria,
- Aligning with findings from previous gap analyses,
- Assessing Nigeria’s current and future educational needs, and
- Determining how UoB can best contribute to national goals.
This initiative aims to position Nigeria as the first African country to implement a transnational education model with a UK Russell Group university. Both parties are committed to accelerating progress to enable the admission of the first cohort of students in the upcoming academic year.
The benefits of this initiative are significant. It will expand Nigeria’s capacity to train and upskill lecturers and deliver world-class undergraduate and postgraduate education—crucial for our youthful and growing population.
The Minister has also emphasized the government’s intent to utilize TETFUND’s Manpower Development Fund to support postgraduate training in STEMM fields, research in life and medical sciences, and teacher professional development across both foundational and tertiary levels.
The proposed UoB transnational education campus will offer undergraduate programs strategically aligned with NIGERIA EDUCATION SECTOR RENEWAL INITIATIVE (NESRI), with the aim of building a high-skilled workforce.
Today marks another milestone for the nation. Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria is regaining its stature on the global stage. Countries around the world are now considering Nigeria as a prime destination for investments in education, technology, and infrastructure.
We are firmly on course to transform Nigeria from a resource-based economy into a knowledge- and skills-based nation. Hosting a prestigious institution like the University of Birmingham is a significant win for the country.
As Mr. President often states, “The youth are the heartbeat of this country.” The most impactful way to support them is through access to HIGH quality education and PROVIDING THEM meaningful LIFE SKILLS TO ENABLE THEM TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITIES THEY LIVE IN, THE COUNTRY AND GLOBALLY—a PRESIDENTIAL MANDATE the Dr Alausa remains COMMITTED AND dedicated to fulfilling.
