The University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will lead to the establishment of a Transnational Education (TNE) Unit at UNILAG.
Under the agreement, the two universities will work closely with Nigeria’s Ministry of Education to develop comprehensive proposals for the unit, which aims to begin delivering programmes from 2027. The new unit will offer courses in Applied Intelligence, Digital Communications and Media, Health Sciences, and Engineering.
The signing ceremony, held at UNILAG’s Senate Chamber, was led by UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Prof Folasade Ogunsola, and Provost of the University of Birmingham, Prof Nick Vaughan-Williams, and witnessed by notable education stakeholders including Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa; UK Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jonny Baxter; NUC Executive Secretary, Prof Abdullahi Ribadu; and TETFund’s Director of Academic Staff Training and Development, Dr Hadiza Ismail.
Speaking at the event, Minister Alausa highlighted that the partnership aligns with the ministry’s goal of producing globally competitive graduates who can contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development. He said the collaboration opens opportunities for research in cutting-edge fields such as renewable energy, healthcare, and AI, while increasing access to globally recognised programmes for Nigerian students. He added that the TNE partnership would provide international exposure, enhance curriculum and pedagogy, improve employability, and promote research collaborations, ultimately boosting socio-economic development.
“A model of TNE partnership we are witnessing today is the delivery of University of Birmingham’s validated programmes at UNILAG. By 2027, the first batch of students will benefit from world-class education here in Nigeria, while our faculty will gain capacity development through collaborative research,” Alausa said.
UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ogunsola, explained that the partnership reflects the university’s commitment to equitable global collaborations, responding to growing demand for internationally competitive education. She noted that UNILAG has worked with Birmingham for a decade in limited areas, but the new MoU expands collaboration to programmes that will advance national development and provide experiential learning opportunities for students.
Prof Vaughan-Williams of the University of Birmingham added that the UK institution seeks global partnerships to equip graduates with future-ready skills, citing shared ambition, values, and a vision to rank among the top 200 universities globally. He highlighted previous collaborations, including a global surgery hub, as a foundation for expanding transnational education initiatives in Nigeria.
UK Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter emphasised that the partnership will allow more Nigerians to access quality British education locally, alleviating the pressure on Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. He said the collaboration would support innovation in critical fields such as AI and create wider opportunities for students.
NUC Executive Secretary Prof Ribadu highlighted the potential for joint research, staff and student exchanges, knowledge sharing, and global partnerships, while TETFund’s Dr Hadiza Ismail stressed that the agreement would sustain access to quality degrees within Nigeria, reduce academic migration, and retain talent following the suspension of the foreign scholarship scheme in 2024.
Prof Ogunsola concluded that the MoU marks a significant step towards modernising curricula, enhancing global visibility, and strengthening research in AI, health sciences, and engineering, reinforcing UNILAG’s vision of providing world-class education in Nigeria.
