Yusuf Tanko Sununu, the minister of state for education, has emphatically directed foreign universities operating in Nigeria to strictly adhere to the country’s meticulously crafted guidelines on transnational education, meticulously developed by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
During a high-profile meeting in Abuja, Sununu presented a copy of the National Guidelines on Transnational Education to the Chancellor of Rutgers University – Camden, one of the United States’ oldest universities, established in 1776.
Sununu expressed Nigeria’s commitment to collaborate with global educational institutions to enhance access to high-quality higher education within the nation.
Underlining the administration’s dedication to prioritizing access to quality education, Sununu conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to this cause.
The federal ministry of education, he emphasized, is resolute in delivering quality education to the majority of Nigerians, emphasizing that collaboration between Nigerian and foreign universities is integral to achieving this goal.
The minister challenged institutions of higher learning in Nigeria to foster partnerships with their foreign counterparts, aiming to train a proficient workforce and address concerns related to brain drain.
Sununu asserted Nigeria’s capability to meet global manpower needs, leveraging its substantial population.
Commending the collaborative initiatives between Rutgers University and Nigerian institutions such as the University of Lagos and Ibadan, he pledged the support of the federal ministry of education within the legal framework to encourage further collaboration.
Notably, the focus will be on strengthening ties in the vital domains of science and technology.
During the meeting, Antonio Tillis of Rutgers University expressed the university’s intent to renew the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Lagos.
Tillis also seeks to expand collaborations with various Nigerian universities, emphasizing mutual interests in research initiatives and the exchange of academic programmes.
Accompanying Tillis on this working visit was the Senior Vice-Chancellor of Rutgers University, Jimmy Jung, signifying the commitment to fostering stronger educational partnerships.
