Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has met with the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Philipson, to strengthen bilateral cooperation in foundational education and skills development. The meeting took place on Monday on the sidelines of the ongoing World Education Forum in London.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Dr. Alausa emphasized the importance of moving beyond grant-based aid to pursue strategic partnerships that promote quality and equitable access to education in Nigeria.
“This discussion is especially timely, as the UK Government is currently implementing strategies to expand capacity in early childhood education,” the Minister noted.
Key areas of focus during the bilateral meeting included skills development and potential collaboration on Nigeria’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) agenda, which is scheduled for launch on May 30, 2025. Both parties also acknowledged the significance of ongoing partnerships with international development agencies such as the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
A notable part of the dialogue centered on fostering stronger transatlantic educational cooperation between Nigeria and the UK. Dr. Alausa shared the Federal Ministry of Education’s goals under President Bola Tinubu’s administration to build local educational capacity and reduce the trend of academic and professional migration—commonly known as the “japa syndrome.”
As a direct outcome of the talks, Dr. Alausa is set to meet with the Vice Chancellor of the University of Birmingham later this week to explore the establishment of a university campus in Lagos. The presence of a Russell Group institution in Nigeria would align with the Ministry’s vision of delivering high-quality education and training within the country.
Looking ahead, both leaders agreed to a follow-up meeting in Nigeria, during which a UK Government delegation will be hosted to further explore collaborative initiatives and share best practices. This is expected to support the advancement of Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the education sector.
Dr. Alausa’s participation in the World Education Forum underscores the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to transformative education and its engagement with global partners to drive impactful reforms.
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